From very humble beginnings, but determined for a successful path

YOUNG Joylyn Wilson may have only written 10 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations from which she obtained eight Grade Ones, one Grade Two and a Grade F
our, but it came as a result of a lot of sacrifice, determination and hard work.

Joylyn, who is now 16 years old, gained a place at the St. Rose’s High School in 2013, after completing the National Grade Six Examinations (NGSA). She had attended St. Gabriel’s Primary School and according to her, she continued to work hard with a resolve to be successful at the CSEC examinations, which were then some years away.

During the time of preparation for the examinations, her mother, who has been a pillar of strength to her in many ways, fell seriously ill and spent a lot of time in the hospital recovering. At the same time, her father who is a retiree had not been gaining an income. So Joylyn was somewhat preoccupied with some of the cares of life, but managed to fight her way out of that situation to triumph.

Additionally, Joylyn lives in an environment that from the naked eye has its own challenges, but she survived and is still doing well. However, she has stated that she allowed nothing around her to keep her back from focusing on the mark that she had set before her, which was passing the CSEC examinations with flying colours.

“During the time leading up to CXC I did everything as per norm, such as watching series and using my phone. I decided to treat it [the exams] like a normal school exam so as to get rid of any nervousness,” she said. “Five out of seven days of my mornings were spent doing early morning classes and late night classes on Friday nights in order to prepare for the examinations,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine.

EIGHT GRADE ONES
Joylyn said that she awaited the results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) with some amount of anxiety, but tried her best to be relaxed, knowing that she had worked hard and was expecting only the best.

Of the 10 subjects she wrote, when the results were revealed she was successful in all of them, gaining eight grade ones, one grade two and one grade four.

“I cannot help being grateful and so I must say thanks also to the teachers of St. Rose’s High who took time to teach; thanks for their patience and kindness throughout the years I spent there. I did lessons at the Morgan’s Learning Centre and so I must also say thanks to the teachers there too. Special thanks go out to Sir Morgan,” she offered.

NOT ASHAMED OF ME
Joylyn’s mother, Riegina Wilson said, “First and foremost we would like to express thanks to the Almighty God for His continued blessings on Joylyn’s life,” even as she went on to say that as a family they would also like to voice gratitude to everyone who in one way or another contributed to her success at the CSEC examinations.

Ms. Wilson told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is proud mother, not only because her daughter did well. “I am proud because she is not ashamed of me and what I do. In fact, she and her other two sisters would willingly help me once they have the time; one of the girls who is older is a nurse and can be busy too; then I have another daughter who is a little older than Joylyn,” she explained.

Other than being a cleaner at the Rama Krishna Primary School, Wilson told the Pepperpot Magazine that in order to make ends meet so that she is able to help her family, she makes all sorts of tasty delicacies, which include sugar cakes, tamarind balls, icicles, plantain chips and the like, that are definite children’s favourites even though they are also ordered by the adults. She also bakes pastries, cakes and make beverages such as mauby and ginger beer as a result of orders she receives in larger quantities, along with cheese straws and other things to order to make the extra dollar.

“I work hard, sometimes I go to bed very late so that I can finish some of my work; then I get up early in the mornings too, to make sure that I get things done before going off to work at the school,” she said, pointing out that her daughter had a lot of needs for school, which she had to meet…this is why I am so grateful today,” she said.

FUTURE PLANS
Meanwhile, Joylyn told the Pepperpot Magazine that while she has plans to return to the classroom to study, it will be at the University of Guyana and not in school since she does not plan to write the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

“I would like to become a journalist – writing for the newspapers or working with the television; doing work that can help make a difference in the lives of people near and far. I have been exposed to a lot of things around me, seeing and understanding some things in life and so I would like to work in this profession to make a change for some people,” she posited.