First Union Foundation ‘Buss a Yute’ scholarship

THE FIRST Union Financial Group Limited, through its foundation, has developed an initiative, the ‘Buss a Yute’ Scholarship programme, as part of our corporate social responsibility. The mission of the First Union Foundation is to nuture the success of underprivileged youth by creating opportunities available to them, primarily in education.

The competition was intense and of the many applicants, 12 high-school students were selected from across the island to be funded with their back-to-school needs.

This scholarship programme is designed to give opportunities to youths that have the ability to shine. Many promising students at the secondary level are unable to realise their potential due to financial constraints. As such, First Union Foundation will be making available, part of a $3million budget that is allotted to the First Union Foundation towards assisting children that show excellence in education at the secondary level. This move by the First Union Foundation will have a positive impact not only on the students and parents, but also on the various communities that will benefit from such a positive initiative. First Union Foundation has privately reached out to teachers and others over the years to assist in finding students at the secondary level that are doing well, and has provided them with financial assistance. But this year, with the ‘BUSS A YUTE’ programme, participation from the general public had much more impact, as we were able to locate students from all across the island, including the rural areas of Jamaica. Recipients are attending schools such as Clarendon College, Campion College, Jamaica College, Mannings High School, St Elizabeth Technical High School, Westwood High

School and York Castle High School.

The requirements for the scholarship were as follows:

Applicants should have an ‘A’ average. Good attendance. Should be part of one or more extra-curricular activities.

Two recommendations from a teacher, pastor or member of the community.

On Friday, September 8, 2017, all successful candidates were invited to visit the new head office of First Union Financial Group to collect their cheques.

First Union Foundation will continue to play its part in creating opportunities for underprivileged youth to encourage, reward and enable them to build a solid foundation, which will further impact our nation’s growth. We encourage them to strive for excellence in all their endeavours.