Wise Women stage charity fun day

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Assisting 10 tertiary students with their education is not a small task, but that is exactly what the western Jamaica-based Wise Women Club has been doing with funds generated through its annual charity event, the Wise Women Club's Fun Day.

Recently, the Wise Women Club had yet another successful fun day in Westmoreland, and according to the group's founder, renowned philanthropist Denise Dear, it was well supported by friends of the group and was yet another success story for them.

"I think this is the most successful fun day we have had in recent times," said Dear, the wife of prominent Montego Bay businessman Winston Dear. "While we have not done our final tabulation, we are encouraged by the great support we received."

The event, which was staged at the scenic Hilton's property in the St Leonard's area of Westmoreland, drew encouraging support from the business community in western Jamaica as well as from visitors from the diaspora. Interestingly, those who were present got a chance to interact with the beneficiaries and their families.

The group of eight women who comprise the wise women's group, reads: Janki Chanderam, Rita Hilton, Jenny Hannah, Denise Dear, Laurice Brown, Audrey Small, Jennifer Alton and Judith Dear. The group has been partnering with the Montego Bay Community College each year to assist needy students with their first-year tuition.

10 STUDENTS A FIRST

Based on their increased budget for this year, the target set for the fun day was $613,000, which would satisfy the requirements of the 10 students they have selected to assist.

According to Dear (Denise), this is the first time that the non-profit organisation has taken on 10 students at one time. However, based on the great need for assistance that exists, the group felt it needed to go the extra mile to ensure that more students got an opportunity to realise their educational dreams.

"More students need help," said Dear. "The demand for assistance is great, and so through our efforts, we are trying to help as much as we can. Education is needed to drive the nation's growth, and with the rising cost of tertiary studies, we are having more and more students in need of assistance. "

Since the Wise Women scholarship programme started in 2004, more than 30 students have benefitted. While the club does not fund the entire tuition costs, it offers students a start by paying for their first term or diploma-level courses.

The club's next fund-raising event is slated for later this year. That event is dubbed Cocktails by the Sea.