Kingston Wharves recently awarded back-to-school bursaries and other gifts to some 40 students who were successful in their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Exams. The awardees comprised children of Kingston Wharves Group employees as well as those drawn from surrounding communities who participated in the Ministry of Education’s PEP Preparation Picnic (PREPNIC) progamme under the Quality Education Circle 7 initiative. The presentation ceremony was held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Kingston.
Chief Executive Officer Mark Williams and other KWL officials congratulated the students on their success in the PEP Exams.
Mr. Williams gave the children positive advice to guide their high school journey.
“Keep good company. Choose friends who impart positive values to you, such as honesty, peace, hard work and kindness,” the CEO said.
Noting that bad company corrupted good character, Mr. Williams observed: “This means that your friends can help to shape your attitudes or your actions. If you have friends who are good, they will influence you to do good. If they are not doing right they may try to influence you to do wrong.” He also encouraged the children to be positive friends to others, setting good examples for their friends to follow.
The CEO also told the children to dare to be different. Sharing the parable of the talent in the Bible, Mr. Williams encouraged the children to use their gifts, be proud of it, and celebrate the gifts in others but to not compare themselves with others. “Whatever your gift do not be afraid to use it.” He urged the children to strive to do well in their academic subjects, but to develop their gifts whatever area it is in. “If you are seeking to become an accountant strive to be the best accountant; if a plumber be the best plumber. If you become a fashion designer become the best fashion designer you can be,” he said.
Mr. Williams also advised the children to dream big. “If your dreams do not frighten you and if you can achieve them by yourself, they are not big enough,” the CEO said. He told them to trust that God would help them to prepare for a great future, noting that many of Jamaica’s most accomplished people in academia, sports, culture, business and other areas came from humble beginnings.
Group Human Resource and Administration Manager Denise Walcott Samuels explained that Kingston Wharves normally held the awards for the children of its employees, but this year took the decision to include children from the community.
Elaborating, Corporate Services and Client Experience Manager Simone Murdock explained that earlier this year, Kingston Wharves hosted 31 students from nine inner-city schools under the Ministry of Education and Youth’s PREPNIC group at its Total Logistics Facility as part of the company Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme.
“We had members of our team give motivational talks, hosted them for meals and took them on a port tour, in addition to the Ministry’s core preparation activities.”
Regional Education Officer Kemisha Francis thanked Kingston Wharves for its generosity. “Finding a single word that captures the emotions of the PREPNIC programme was a struggle, but I have settled on the word HIGH, which encapsulates my feeling of humility, inspiration, gratitude and hope,” Mrs. Francis stated.
Mrs. Francis explained that it was humbling because a casual conversation with her son about improving students’ performance led to the establishment of the PREPNIC programme. Reminding that COVID-19 had a negative impact of learning, Mrs. Francis explained that the programme has yielded positive results among the participating students, with mastery of language, moving from 61 to 77%; social sciences 55 to 74%; science 35% to 74% and Mathematics 19% to 74%.
She expressed gratitude to the participating teachers, the parents and Union Gardens Principal Mrs. Gracie-Ann Moss-Solomon for their support of the programme, expressing the hope that other companies would join Kingston Wharves in investing in nation-building through investing in children’s lives.
Student under the PREPNIC Programme Khalea Daley thanked Kingston Wharves for the awards and for hosting them at the office earlier in the year to prepare. “The PEP Preparation Process, often a stressful process, was transformed into an adventurous learning experience, thanks to Kingston Wharves’ warm welcome,” she said.
“We felt empowered, like young professionals, as we studied in an environment that fuelled our aspirations. The excellent facilities, delicious food, and thrilling port tour only added to our excitement. Thanks for your kindness and recognising our achievements,” she said.
CFO of Kingston Wharves Chief Financial Officer Clover Moodie, Managing Director of subsidiaries Security Administrators Limited George Reynolds and Christal McGillive-Brown, Business Services Manager at Newport Stevedoring Service Limited (NSSL) all congratulated the children on the achievements.
