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A ray of hope in education
By Sophia Morgan
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Whenever the term "free education" is mentioned, it tends to spark a wave of discussion in several quarters. While some people champion the cause and see it as the be-all and end-all of national prosperity, others denounce it, seeing it as a strain on the public purse and an endorsement of the "freeness" mentality.
There is one institution, however, that offers free education in its literal sense. It is not government-owned and is not attached to any of the island's traditional educational institutions. It is the Vaughan Headley Institute of Health and Sciences, owned and operated by Reverend Vaughan Headley, daughter of famous Jamaican cricketer George Headley, and is located in Mandeville, Manchester.
While private educational institutions, in particular, are a dime a dozen across the island, the Vaughan Headley Institute is more than just another institution. The Institute is offering Caribbean Examination Council subjects at $1,000 a month. In addition it's granting a two-year scholarship to the five most outstanding performers.
At a time when the economic pinch is tightening and the economy is slowing to a crawl, this is the kind of news that people will gravitate to. The project which is currently being funded single-handedly by the Reverend Headley's pension, which is her only source of income, was inspired by the level of illiteracy and lack of educational opportunities that she says currently affects a large proportion of Jamaican youth.
"I was moved by the number of Jamaicans, especially here in Jamaica, who would embrace the opportunity to pursue a career, but are unable to do so because of financial disability," she said.
The institution has been in existence for just over a year and currently enrols 17 students. Some of these students, the Rev Headley said, are still having financial difficulties which affect their attendance. The students say such a gesture motivates and inspires them to overcome challenges they never thought they could otherwise defeat.
According to one student, "What Ms Headley does for us is a blessing in disguise. You will not find another school that offers CXC subjects for $1,000 monthly, sends you to college and helps you find a job." The students testify that the quality of education is excellent: "The teachers take the time out to ensure that we understand each subject." One student mentioned that maths was her worst enemy and since she started attending Vaughan Headley she has "fallen in love" with the subject.
Rev Headley was born and raised in the United States where she earned her Bachelor and Associate degrees in Science and Liberal Arts. Although she is of US nationality, she says this country is where her roots are, will always be and she is delighted to give back to the country in some way. "Jamaica will always have a special place in my heart and it gives me tremendous satisfaction to give back to my country."
She is desirous of "making education affordable" for everyone with the ability to learn, thus "empowering the family".
Rev Headley started pursuing her Master's in Divinity at the New York Theological Seminary but had to postpone completion because of her mother's illness. She plans to continue in the near future. She believes that there will always be challenges in life but with God all things are possible.
"The challenges that I am having are funding and letting students know that we exist," she says. "We need sponsorship to be able to continue, so that poor students will have a chance of an education." Another challenge is finding land for construction: "We need land so that our complete programme can be put into action."
Her ultimate dream is to open a school for nursing along with other disciplines in Jamaica so all Jamaicans who are interested can benefit.
She was a nurse in the United States for almost 30 years. She also worked part-time as a teaching assistant within her community.
Mixed reactions
Rev Headley thinks that people are still finding it hard to believe that someone would want to take on such a challenge. However, she said they appreciate the fact that someone is looking out for them. "People don't understand why I choose to do this, and some people think that I should focus on myself and not take on such challenge. Some people ask why me, and I ask them why not me?"
While some are sceptical, and others look on in disbelief, there are individuals who applaud her kindness and believe she is doing this for a great cause, one that will benefit not only the participants but also the country.
Rev Headley says God has blessed her tremendously and she believes it's her duty to share that blessing.
One would believe that in this economic recession it is virtually impossible to extend a helping hand. However, the Vaughan Headley Institute has proved that nothing is impossible, even in the most seemingly unfeasible situations. Rev Headley provides a ray of hope for people who have either given up or are on the verge of doing so.
Sophia Morgan is a freelance writer.
A ray of hope in education
By Sophia Morgan
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Whenever the term "free education" is mentioned, it tends to spark a wave of discussion in several quarters. While some people champion the cause and see it as the be-all and end-all of national prosperity, others denounce it, seeing it as a strain on the public purse and an endorsement of the "freeness" mentality.
There is one institution, however, that offers free education in its literal sense. It is not government-owned and is not attached to any of the island's traditional educational institutions. It is the Vaughan Headley Institute of Health and Sciences, owned and operated by Reverend Vaughan Headley, daughter of famous Jamaican cricketer George Headley, and is located in Mandeville, Manchester.
While private educational institutions, in particular, are a dime a dozen across the island, the Vaughan Headley Institute is more than just another institution. The Institute is offering Caribbean Examination Council subjects at $1,000 a month. In addition it's granting a two-year scholarship to the five most outstanding performers.
At a time when the economic pinch is tightening and the economy is slowing to a crawl, this is the kind of news that people will gravitate to. The project which is currently being funded single-handedly by the Reverend Headley's pension, which is her only source of income, was inspired by the level of illiteracy and lack of educational opportunities that she says currently affects a large proportion of Jamaican youth.
"I was moved by the number of Jamaicans, especially here in Jamaica, who would embrace the opportunity to pursue a career, but are unable to do so because of financial disability," she said.
The institution has been in existence for just over a year and currently enrols 17 students. Some of these students, the Rev Headley said, are still having financial difficulties which affect their attendance. The students say such a gesture motivates and inspires them to overcome challenges they never thought they could otherwise defeat.
According to one student, "What Ms Headley does for us is a blessing in disguise. You will not find another school that offers CXC subjects for $1,000 monthly, sends you to college and helps you find a job." The students testify that the quality of education is excellent: "The teachers take the time out to ensure that we understand each subject." One student mentioned that maths was her worst enemy and since she started attending Vaughan Headley she has "fallen in love" with the subject.
Rev Headley was born and raised in the United States where she earned her Bachelor and Associate degrees in Science and Liberal Arts. Although she is of US nationality, she says this country is where her roots are, will always be and she is delighted to give back to the country in some way. "Jamaica will always have a special place in my heart and it gives me tremendous satisfaction to give back to my country."
She is desirous of "making education affordable" for everyone with the ability to learn, thus "empowering the family".
Rev Headley started pursuing her Master's in Divinity at the New York Theological Seminary but had to postpone completion because of her mother's illness. She plans to continue in the near future. She believes that there will always be challenges in life but with God all things are possible.
"The challenges that I am having are funding and letting students know that we exist," she says. "We need sponsorship to be able to continue, so that poor students will have a chance of an education." Another challenge is finding land for construction: "We need land so that our complete programme can be put into action."
Her ultimate dream is to open a school for nursing along with other disciplines in Jamaica so all Jamaicans who are interested can benefit.
She was a nurse in the United States for almost 30 years. She also worked part-time as a teaching assistant within her community.
Mixed reactions
Rev Headley thinks that people are still finding it hard to believe that someone would want to take on such a challenge. However, she said they appreciate the fact that someone is looking out for them. "People don't understand why I choose to do this, and some people think that I should focus on myself and not take on such challenge. Some people ask why me, and I ask them why not me?"
While some are sceptical, and others look on in disbelief, there are individuals who applaud her kindness and believe she is doing this for a great cause, one that will benefit not only the participants but also the country.
Rev Headley says God has blessed her tremendously and she believes it's her duty to share that blessing.
One would believe that in this economic recession it is virtually impossible to extend a helping hand. However, the Vaughan Headley Institute has proved that nothing is impossible, even in the most seemingly unfeasible situations. Rev Headley provides a ray of hope for people who have either given up or are on the verge of doing so.
Sophia Morgan is a freelance writer.