Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Timar Jackson - File

HARD WORK, determination and a vision have paved the way for Timar Jackson, who has realised his dream of becoming a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), after receiving a university scholarship to study economics.

Math whiz Jackson participated in the HOPE mathematics camp, which was launched almost four years ago. Student volunteers from Taylor Hall at UWI run the organisation, which provides students from inner-city communities with extra math tuition to prepare them for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. Jackson accredited the summer camp for being the catalyst which spurred him to pursue academic excellence in the hope of returning to UWI, where the summer camp is held annually.

"They went through a lot of math, trust me; but they provided a lot of encouragement. They showed us around the campus, told us what the university had to offer, and opportunities that we could take advantage of," Jackson told The Sunday Gleaner. "We got first-hand accounts of university life, and that was what made me develop the vision. We all left saying we wanted to come here. at the time, it seemed impossible, but I knew I wanted to study here," he added.

humble background

Jackson hails from Bull Bay in St Andrew and comes from "a humble family" with limited resources. One of five children, he is the first person from his family to attend university, and he cited support from his mother and teachers as integral to his success.

The dedicated 18-year-old attended Vauxhall High School in east Kingston, taking with him nine CSEC passes to pursue further education at Ardenne sixth form, for which he received distinctions in communications, math, accounts and economics in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). He commended the efforts of the teachers at both institutions for their encouragement, which, he said, "propelled me to do great things". The academically astute Jackson placed first in the island in accounting, after completing the first unit of CAPE, and placed second in economics in the second unit.

motivation

"I wasn't your average student. I was exposed to a lot of things: leadership seminars, cadet camp. I remember going to a math camp at UWI when I was 14 years old. that put the picture in front of me and I knew I always wanted to go there. so, that was my motivation."

The journey for excellence has been fraught with many challenges as Jackson disclosed that people from his community did not believe he would achieve some of his accomplishments. He told The Sunday Gleaner that since receiving the scholarship from UWI, life had changed considerably.

"My family is really pleased. some of them feel inspired by my experience, because some people said it wasn't expected."

Hopes and dreams have become a reality for the young man who now resides at the Rex Nettleford Hall at UWI. He is enjoying campus life and the challenges ahead, as he embarks on becoming an accountant or economist, leaving UWI with nothing less than first-class honours.

"I feel great thinking about it. I wouldn't have been able to pay the tuition to attend UWI, yet alone to stay in such a prestigious hall. I'm socialising more and really enjoying the experience and the initiations," says Jackson. "I'm just having fun, ready for what is to come. I feel like I'm part of a family."

Make a contribution

If you would like to contribute to the HOPE programme, contact the Student Services Manager, Taylor Hall, UWI. Telephone: 927-2533 If you would like to contribute to the HOPE programme, contact the Student Services Manager, Taylor Hall, UWI. Telephone: 927-2533