JCMF celebrates its 4th annual scholarship award event

The Jeggan Cole Memorial Foundation (JCMF) continues to support needy students in the Greater Banjul and Basse Areas. In line with its mission and what has now become an annual event, JCMF awarded 21 students full scholarship at ceremonies held simultaneously at the YMCA hall in Kanifing and St. George’s school ground in Basse on Saturday, November 17th.

In what is considered very special ceremonies this year, students were provided with additional support from surprising quarters. With support from the Lipsy family, Christ Presbyterian Church, Bantaba, and friends of Jeggan Cole across the USA. JCMF scholars each received a backpack filled with school supplies, items of clothing as well as personal hygiene products. Other scholarship items included the usual school uniform, textbooks, exercise books, shoes and school bills. It was a time of great excitement and expressions of gratitude among the scholars as the backpacks were being presented.

The aim is to further motivate students to excel in school and rise above average performance. Each student is mentored throughout the year providing among others homework support and encouraged to volunteer and participate in community initiatives as a way of reaching out and giving back. While our effort may seem like a drop in the ocean, JCMF is determined to support students even if it means one student at a time. Such support is viewed and captured in the timeless words of Julia Abigail Fletcher, an American poet:

“Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.”

In her motivational speech to the students during the ceremony in Banjul, Mrs. Priscilla Dunn of YMCA challenged students to work even harder and to honour the sacrifices of their families and all who support the work of the Foundation. “This is by no means an easy feat because someone, somewhere has decided to forgo some niceties in order to contribute to humanity, so I plead with you to take this opportunity seriously and one day pay it forward.” A goodwill message was also read out urging students to hunker down and be determined, disciplined and not be afraid to ask questions. The message further emphasised that the habit of picking up a book to read only when one has examinations should not be the habit of the scholars but to read wide and pursue knowledge. The message ended with a challenge; “Be creative and do not settle for mediocrity. Always strive to be a better version of yourself every single day!” 

Mrs. Nellie Taylor and Mrs. Patience Sarr presented the items and certificates to the 12 scholars while Mr. Charles Sarr who represented Bantaba made a few remarks during the ceremony. Miss. Odeth Mendy, a recent graduate of St. Peter’s Technical Senior and a recipient of the JCMF scholarship for four years delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Asta Jobe.

Meanwhile, at the far end of the country and at the very same time, the JCMF coordinator, Mr. Musa Sanneh, was presiding over the Basse ceremony following a similar programme. Mr. Sainey Kanuteh of Physical Planning delivered the motivational speech to the scholars and guests, while Father Steven of the Anglican Church presented the items and certificates to the 9 Basse scholars. Mr. Sulayman Jallow of St. George’s Technical Junior & Senior Secondary School, a proud JCMF scholar in Grade 11 closed the event by delivering the vote of thanks. The scholars of both ceremonies entertained the guests by reciting poems and light refreshment was served at the end. Parents, guardians, teachers, friends and partners of the Foundation graced both ceremonies with their presence. It was a memorable day filled with excitement and hope.