JWN allocates $1.2m for honesty
ACKAISHA GREEN, who became popular for returning a bag full of $5000 and $1000 notes she found in an ATM at Central Police Station in Kingston recently, has received a donation of $1.2 million for her honesty from J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) Limited.
One million dollars is earmarked for the education of Green and her two sons, eight-year-old Jevanie and two-year-old Joshua, while $100,000 was provided in vouchers to purchase food and an additional $100,000 has been set aside for an entrepreneurial venture and a fridge, which she said was badly needed.
Additionally, JWN made representation on behalf of the honest Green to Nestle, which will partner by providing one year’s supply of milk products to her two sons.
Green returned the cash she found despite her dire circumstances, as she was without a job or any source of income, has two children and was burdened with many expenses, particularly relating to her children’s schooling.
An indication of her plight played out on the day when she found the money, as Green’s mom said her daughter had asked her for $200.
Green was greeted with the good news and a presentation at the corporate offices of JWN on Tuesday by Managing Director Jean-Philippe Beyer and Tanikie McClarthy Allen, director of Public Affairs and Sustainability.
“We are making this presentation to you because of your show of honesty,” said Beyer. “As a company, J. Wray & Nephew places a great deal of value on integrity and what you did is a very good example for this country.”
The managing director engaged Green in a discussion on her good deed and the feedback it has generated, while playing with her son, Joshua, who had accompanied her to the office, which she was visiting for the second time.
McClarthy Allen commented on the previous visit only days earlier, when the company had reached out to reward Green for her honesty and to provide assistance in her plight.
“We spoke with you, we listened to your concerns and now we’ve acted,” said McClarthy Allen. “We will not be leaving you on your own, we will be following up to see how you and the boys are progressing and with your education as well.”
GREAT SURPRISE
Green expressed great surprise and thanked JWN for its kindness, noting that she was ready to make the best on this second chance at education for herself as well as her juvenile duo.
“Honestly, I just want to tell J. Wray & Nephew Limited thanks overall. Words cannot express how I really feel. I just want to let each and everyone who has reached out to me so far to tell each and everyone thanks. Words cannot really express … it’s like I’m speechless,” Green reacted.
Since finding the money, Green had already received assistance from several companies, including Digicel and HEART Trust and for this she expressed gratitude.
“I wasn’t expecting anything, because the money wasn’t mine, so to get all of this, many thanks, not only you guys but to everybody who has reached out; J. Wray & Nephew, Digicel, HEART Trust and the rest of people and the pastor at cathedral, I just want to say thanks. This will benefit a far way, going back to school and seeing that I have several debts with the kids going to school.
“I would just like to say honesty pays off,” said Green. And, Green has been invited to today’s sitting of the Upper House by Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson.
The president and other members of the Senate are expected to congratulate Green for her honesty.