SHAKA POW LAUNCHES SCHOLARSHIP
Dancehall artiste and medical doctor Shaka Pow has launched the Dr Garth McDonald Scholarship Fund and will provide financial assistance to some lucky students. The artiste, who came from humble beginnings, says he always wanted to help needy students and is happy he is finally able to do so.
According to the artiste, he would have loved to provide assistance to every Jamaican student. However, he said that he targeting students with averages above 90 per cent.
“I came from humble beginnings, and I want my life to be used as an example to youths that you can make it. I would have loved to open up the scholarship to every child. However, by narrowing it down to those who earn averages above 90 per cent we will also motivate students to excel and aim for the highest,” he said.
A member of Shaka Pow’s management team, Alicia-ann Roxborough of Sassy Entertainment Marketing Media Agency, added that the scholarship will play a role in the development of the kids.
“We intend to provide scholarships from basic school to the tertiary level. We want to intervene from the early days of development so that we can stimulate an interest in learning at an early age. We have also launched a series of merchandise in the form of books, cups, hats, key chains and T-shirts.,” she said.
So far, Toni-Ann Garvey and HayvenElijah Nickells from the Faith Basic School in Waterford, Portmore, were both awarded $10,000 in book vouchers, a gift bag and a trophy since they both stood out above their peers academically.
“It is important to build young minds by nurturing them in becoming the movers and shakers of tomorrow’s society. So it is always good to take the time to encourage them to reach for the stars. I was a little boy growing up in Waterford just like them and with hard work and dedication I made it through. So, I encourage them to be the best they can be and to set goals and accomplish them,” he said.
Persons interested in receiving support or assisting with the funding of the Dr Garth McDonald Scholarship Fund may do so by sending an email to DrgarthMcdonaldscholarfund@gmail.com .