The grants were presented during a function held at the headquarters of the North Jamaica Mission of Seventh-day Adventists (NJM) in Drax Hall, St Ann, yesterday. The donation is a joint effort between the mission and the Adventist Laypersons' Services and Industries (ASI) North Jamaica Chapter.

"People have real needs at this time during our economic crisis," said Pastor Michael Harvey, president of the Adventist Church in north Jamaica.

"We are committed to ministering to the needs of people, not only to those within the four walls of the church, but wherever the needs are in the wider community. This initiative fulfils two of our strategic issues: education and community involvement."

Change agent

Harvey admonished the recipients to make good with the use of this scarce education assistance.

"Study hard so that you do not join the statistics of those young people who are contributing to the ills of the society due to a lack of proper education. Be a positive change agent so that Jamaica can be a better place," said Harvey.

The funds, said Judy Morgan, president of ASI, NJM, came from contributions from the members of ASI, who have in the past assisted the community with hurricane aid, funeral grants and contributions to tertiary education.

"I am very happy and overwhelmed," said 16-year-old Santana Salmon, a fifth-form student of Albert Town High School in Trelawny.

"I have not purchased all my textbooks for school yet and this will assist me in getting some more."

Sayon Harding, a 12-year-old student of Aabuthnott Gallimore High School in St Ann, was also elated to receive a grant.

"I feel good to know that I can now buy the rest of my schoolbooks with this money. I thank the church for what it has done for me."