Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, has lauded First Regional Co-operative Credit Union for presenting scholarships, bursaries and book grants to 21 high-school and tertiary-level students from the parishes of St. Ann and St. Mary.
At the handover ceremony, held on August 10 at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Mrs. Robinson said support for education is as important as oxygen is to life, and First Regional Co-operative has recognised the significance of education towards nation building.
“Education is important to our development and to the eradication of poverty,” the Minister added.
She argued that the financial institution’s support for education is a reflection of the concepts on which credit unions were founded many years ago.
“Through this goodwill of sponsoring the education of our children, the management of First Regional Co-operative Credit Union has integrated a social concern through its business operations and that is commendable. This philanthropic initiative is worthy of emulation,” the Minister said.
Mrs. Robinson congratulated the recipients, and urged them to seize the opportunity which is being provided by First Regional Co-operative Credit Union as they move one step closer to attaining their academic goals.
“You are being given an opportunity to internalise the true meaning of social responsibility and by how caring for each other, you too can make meaningful contributions to our society. You have been privileged, you have been blessed and do not let this opportunity to improve on yourself slip by,” she urged.
She also encouraged parents to stand by their children and to encourage them to adopt good habits towards learning and achieving.