In these increasingly challenging economic times, 148 students from secondary schools across the country have received financial assistance through the efforts of a Kingston-based company.

The students were selected from some 21 high schools throughout Jamaica and have been granted $15,000 each under the M&M Chance Fund Bursary awards.

They were presented with their cheques during a ceremony at the company's offices on Molynes Road in St Andrew on January 29.

Grateful

Donishe Flemmings, of Rusea's High School in Hanover, responding on behalf of the awardees, said she was grateful to be selected for the scholarship.

"We promise we will help others as we have been helped and we will make you proud," she said.

Don Mullings, founder and CEO of M&M Jamaica Ltd, said the awards programme was established to support the education of Jamaican youths throughout the island.

Assistance to the needy

Under the programme, assistance is given to needy students from select schools across the island. The awards are made based on the recommendation of the principal and guidance counsellor, with special consideration given to promising students whose parents' earnings are at or below the minimum-wage level.

Mullings said the scholarship was a way of giving an equal opportunity to students who may have talent, but lack the means to develop their academic abilities.

Andrew Pairman, founder and CEO of Anbell Group of Companies, encouraged the students to remain focused in their academic endeavours and to give back to their communities.

Pairman's five laws of gratitude:

Do well in school.

Influence those around you to take their lives and their work seriously.

Differentiate yourself.

Express gratitude every day.

Help others as you have been helped.

Some schools that benefited from the programme

Yallahs High School

Spanish Town High School

Holmwood Technical High School

Penwood High School

Anchovy High School