PAEF awards $330,000 in bursaries to 26 St. Catherine PEP graduates

The Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment Foundation (PAEF) has presented bursaries amounting to $330,000 to 26 St. Catherine pupils who will begin high school in September.

The recipients attend St. John’s, Old Harbour, Orangefield, Davis, Kitson Town, and McAuley primary schools. PAEF founder Pauline Gregory Lewis distributed the awards on Friday (July 17) at the Social Development Commission (SDC) parish office for St. Catherine in Spanish Town.

Speaking with JIS News, Mrs. Gregory Lewis explained that the awards went to youngsters facing financial hardship who scored no less than 75 per cent on the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP). She noted that the Foundation takes pride in sustaining its support for students across its 12 years of operation.

“We have been doing this for a little while. We are happy that we’re here this morning, and despite COVID, that put a spin on our operations, and even Melissa did its own work, we’re still here; still trying to do this good for the students where the need exists,” she said.

She urged the cohort to make the most of secondary school.

“Do not go and get into bad company. Be proud of who you are. Cause your parents to be proud and be proud of yourself. Do well, finish well, so the country can be proud of you as you move on,” she said.

Rosena Slater, Vice Principal of St. John’s Primary School, thanked the Foundation on the students’ behalf.

“This will be a motivation for the students here today. They have done well in PEP and being given bursaries will not only help them with back-to-school but help to boost their confidence going into a new school,” she said.

Founded in 2014, PAEF is a Jamaican not-for-profit dedicated to uplifting vulnerable people and young persons in St. Catherine by means of schooling, agricultural skills training, and community development.