PEP scholar overcomes illness, trauma to succeed

When 11-year-old Kimmy* was announced as the top-scoring girl in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) for the Child Protection and Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA) Southern Region, her grandmother Jane* cheered the loudest.

As the youngster walked towards the front of the stage at the Jamaica Conference Centre where the CPFSA’s PEP Awards ceremony was being held, her smile grew wider. Little Kimmy was deserving of every cheer as, despite several obstacles, she strived for excellence academically and earned her place at The Hampton School in St Elizabeth.

“Oh God, when I found out I was going to Hampton, I cried. I was happy and very emotional. I was crying tears of joy because I studied really hard. I am going to work very hard at Hampton also, so I can make an impact on society. I am still not sure what I want to be when I grow up but I have teacher in mind,” the youngster told THE STAR.

As she spoke with the news team, Jane looked on with pride. She said she was given custody of Kimmy by the court after she was deemed to be in need of care and protection after she was sexually assaulted by a man. She stated that Kimmy was filled with strength and endurance.

“I feel really proud of my granddaughter and I know that she is going to make it in life. Her mother died and she too was a very bright girl. She did this on her own and she really love school. Every morning she want to be the first one who goes to school. She don’t want to miss out on anything but there are times when she doesn’t go to school because of illness. She has asthma and sickle cell, so sometimes she is in pain. It is affecting her as we speak and she also has a tummy problem, but she still make it by God’s grace,” she said.

One hundred and ninety children in State care completed PEP this year and all were elevated at the ceremony. Of the total, 67 are from residential child care facilities and places of safety, 73 are in foster care, 42 in family reintegration while eight children are in supervision order. The CPFSA said that children achieve their best when they receive positive reinforcement for their behaviour, work and efforts. As such, the agency anticipates that recognising the achievements of these PEP students will encourage them to continue on their path to greatness while motivating their peers.

Sasha*, another regional top scorer, was just as excited. The 11-year-old, who will be attending St Jago High School in September, said she studied really hard and it paid off.

“My sister and I are in foster care and I want to set a good example for her. I also wanted to make my foster parents proud as well and I am very happy,” she said.

A woman who called herself Sasha’s “foster aunt” said the family is elated by her success.

“We are very proud of her work and she was up late a lot of nights. Sometimes we didn’t see her studying and another time you just couldn’t get her out of the books. We are surprised that she turned out to be the top girl. We know that she is very brilliant, but we never expected her to be top girl and we are really happy for her,” she said.

She said they instantly fell in love with Sasha and her sibling when they first laid eyes on them.

“Sasha was a part of State care with her sibling and we used to visit that home and we took a liking to her and her sibling, so we asked if were able to foster her. We have been fostering her for five years. We don’t want to leave her and we are hoping that we can adopt her and her sister. Her mother wanted them to stay together and we have honoured that request. We really love these girls and it has been a wonderful journey just watching them grow,” the caregiver said.

Head of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams Thomas, told the awardees that they can achieve greatness with dedication and perseverance.

“Today we are at a point where we are closing one chapter and opening another as primary school is now behind you and high school is the next chapter of your story. But remember, you are the authors of that story. I want you to understand that your past does not determine your future and you are destined for greatness. Nobody can limit you,” she said.

*Names changed to protect identities.