Former State ward not giving up on law degree

Despite growing up as a former ward of the State and facing struggles for most of her life, Vanessa Wright is refusing to give up on her dream of becoming an attorney.

Even as a major financial roadblock now threatens to interrupt her final year at university, the determined 23-year-old is staying positive and holding firm to the belief that she will succeed. But Wright admitted that the academic journey has been overshadowed by the harsh reality of trying to balance school with financial survival.

"It has been really hard. I wasn't expecting it to be easy but things keep on getting harder. Not even the studies per se, but just trying to manage everything," she explained. "If your balance is not cleared, you can't do primary things like accessing registration and course material. I do have an outstanding tuition right now, and I am unable to properly register for this semester."

Despite the setback, she still attends classes as much as she can, noting that she is working while studying in an effort to raise the money needed.

"It's extra pressure trying to save up that money to meet that," she said. While starting law school as a former ward celebrated her resilience, the day-to-day challenges have continued. Having endured hardship while living in Maxfield Park, she said those early experiences are what now fuel her determination to finish what she started.

"I've been through a lot and my drive is just believing that there's no way I could go through these things or overcome these things just to not make it or just to not be successful or have a happy life," she said. The uncertainty of funding weighs heavily on her, especially as she stands on the brink of completing her degree.

"I worry about it because I don't want to reach this far and then drop out. I do try my best to not let the pressure get to me. I really just try my best to focus on my goals and try to attain those."

Currently commuting for classes from her foster home in Prospect, St Thomas, Wright is preparing to relocate closer to school in an effort to ease the daily strain. Still, she said that what she truly needs is stability to finish this chapter and move on to the next stage of training at Norman Manley Law School.

"It would be amazing to have just a scholarship that could allow me to finish this hurdle and possibly continue the next level," she said.

That hope recently received a boost when Stephen Joseph and Luke Joseph, directors of a crisis-support charity, presented Wright with a $500,000 scholarship to assist with her tuition. Stephen said the organisation was deeply moved by her persistence.

"We met her 10 years ago when we visited the Maxfield Children's Home and she was bubbly, saying she wanted to become a lawyer. We told her to reach out if she ever had any difficulty because we believe that she will become a lawyer," he said.

"We are grateful to be able to contribute to Vanessa's journey at this critical stage, but there is much more work to be done. We are reaching out to corporate Jamaica and other stakeholders to come on board and help us turn this young woman's dream into a reality."

For Wright, the assistance is proof that others see her potential even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

"I did not know where it (help) was coming from, to the point I went back to a conversation I had 10 years ago with Stephen and it worked out. It's a start and I am appreciative and happy that I even have a chance," she said.

"I just keep reminding myself why I started and how hard it has been to get here but I didn't give up then so there's no giving up now," she said.

Wright encouraged other and former State wards that coming from a home or certain background is nothing to be embarrassed about.

"It doesn't define who you are. I want to encourage former and current wards of the State to push past the negative perception of being 'the girl/boy from the home' and use it to guide you in who you become."