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29 February 2017 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica
The University of Technology, Jamaica through its USAID-funded Fi Wi
Jamaica social intervention Project honoured nine individuals and two
organisations at its 3rd annual Ubuntu Essence of Humanity Awards
ceremony held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Knutsford Court Hotel.
Ubuntu Awards are presented to a Jamaican citizen or resident or a
community-based organization working in Jamaica. Awardees demonstrate
outstanding leadership and courage in the face of adversity as they
contribute to the cause of humanity. Their peers judge them to be worthy of
emulation because they demonstrate great value and regard for humanity
and the rights of the person – both as individuals and in community, and
exemplify the UTech, Jamaica core values of respect, integrity, excellence
and service.
The Ubuntu Awards were presented in the three categories of certificate,
citation and trophy. Leading the list of awardees were educator Ms. Keisha
Hayle and gender and water rights advocate, Mrs. Linette Vassell who
both received the most prestigious awards, the Ubuntu trophy. The Sir
Howard Cooke’s Thursday Group Character Development Centre
located in Nannyville also received an Ubuntu Essence of Humanity trophy
for establishing day care, internet and homework services.
The University honoured Ms. Hayle, who is principal of the Padmore Primary
School in West Rural St. Andrew, for her “exemplary and selfless leadership
in education” and for consistently “striving for academic excellence at the
Padmore Primary School, for going beyond the call of duty and for unstinting
care for the education of the children of the community.” Ms. Hayle has
taught and mentored over 5,000 students at the school. Ms. Hayle was
lauded for turning around the fortunes of the school, which in 2015 became
a top performer in Grade 3, Grade 4 and GSAT examinations. Students from
the school achieved 100% passes in examinations at these levels, moving
the institution from the bottom of the National Education Inspectorate’s
performance list.
Mrs. Vassell received the Ubuntu Essence of Humanity trophy for her more
than four decades of advocacy for women’s rights and for the provision of
social water. UTech, Jamaica, applauded her contribution to the passing of
several pieces of legislation to improve the status of women and children
in Jamaica. Notable among these were the Maternity Leave Act and the
Minimum Wage Act, passed in the 1970s. Under the Minimum Wage Act,
domestic workers were for the first time entitled to a legally determined basic
wage. Mrs. Vassell’s unwavering advocacy has enabled the establishment
of community-controlled and/or co-managed water and sanitation supply
systems, in particular in low-income urban, rural and remote rural areas.
Citations were presented to other awardees Mr. Nicholas Scott, Ms. Althea
Young, Dr. Jean Purchas-Tulloch, Sheldon Millington and Mr. Fitzroy Mills
for community outreach. Mr. Scott was recognised for opening an evening
institute to help adults and teens achieve CSEC subject passes and for
organising outreach activities to troubled and needy children through the
Welcome Outreach Ministries.
UTech, Jamaica in the Community
Unsung Humanitarian Heroes Honoured at
3rd Annual Ubuntu Awards
Recipients of the University of Technology, Jamaica Ubuntu Essence of Humanity Awards pose for a group photo with Fi Wi Jamaica Project leadership following the 3rd
annual awards ceremony held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.
Cont’d on page 30