THE Mohabir Mookoorchan Persaud Foundation (MMP) has donated a quantity of school-related items to students who performed exceptionally during the academic year and to those starting school in the new school year.

A total of 41 scholarships were awarded to students of Region Six, 19 backpacks filled with school stationery, Internet services vouchers valid for one year were awarded to three students and cash vouchers for transportation were also donated to learners.

A bicycle was donated to another student at a simple handing-over ceremony at Clifton, Tain, East Corentyne, Berbice.

The newly formed foundation was established by Mohabir Persaud with the aim of helping students at his alma mater JC Chandisingh to alleviate school dropouts and to ensure that children are offered equal opportunity to an education, despite their circumstances.

In October 2016, the foundation assisted students to pay for their examinations as well as provided scholarships.

Persaud was brought up in poverty, but gained an opportunity to turn around his life when he migrated to the U.S.

Being educated, he pushed himself, working three jobs to now become the manager at a respected dental-care facility.

He used the money he earned from his bonuses from his three jobs to set up the foundation. His aim is to assist those throughout East Berbice and to eventually expand across the length and breadth of Guyana.

“The aim of the foundation is to assist students that are having difficulties staying in school and completing their education due to poverty. The sad reality is that many students have the desire and ability, but they are forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Our aim is to prevent these students from dropping out and ensure they receive an education, since with an education you can break the cycle of poverty.  It is not where you are or where you came from, but where you can go. Education makes this possible,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, head of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE)
Berbice branch and former Regional Education Officer Shafiran Bhajan charged the
recipients to make good use of the opportunities provided them.

“These students are now endowed with the resources that will allow them the chance to be successful in their examinations ahead, so that they will be able to climb the matriculation platform for which they can be privileged to compete in the global arena in the world of work or the opportunity for better learning. I want to acknowledge the MMP Foundation of Excellence for playing a great role of cushioning the effects of poverty by helping young people to climb the ladder of social mobility.”

Meanwhile, recipient of the first scholarship from the foundation Mahendra Phagwah reflected on the struggles faced while trying to attain an education.

He alluded that both of his parents are disabled and could not afford to send him to school. While in Fourth form at the Berbice High School, he was forced to drop out to provide care for his parents and sister.

After dropping out of school, he was given a second chance to continue his education at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School where he wrote 13 subjects and gained passes in all.

In thanking the foundation, Phagwah said his story is testimony that poverty is not a curse and could be an inspiration to success.