Children of farm workers to benefit from scholarship programme

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr says the new Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association (OFVGA) scholarship is fulfilling the long-held dream of Jamaican farm workers by transforming their hard work in the fields into educational opportunities for their children.

"One phrase that stood out today was 'intergenerational advancement,' and that's no accident," Charles said at the scholarship grant handover ceremony at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security head office in Kingston last Thursday.

"Most of our farm workers aren't working for themselves--they work to give their children a better chance. Many will tell you they never had the opportunity to attend university, but they're determined that their children will."

The scholarship targets children of Jamaican farm workers currently participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) in Ontario, Canada. Ten awards, each valued at $115,000, will support secondary school students with expenses such as books, uniforms, exam fees, transportation, and lunch. Applications open on April 1 and close on June 13.

"This scholarship is the result of ongoing discussions between the ministry and our partners about how we can not just protect, but improve the welfare of our families," Charles said.