WARD
CARMEN MARGARITA Ward, the Governor General Achievement awardee for Manchester, is a woman who relishes a challenge. Her latest challenge is the revitalisation of her community in Newport, Manchester.
"We are going to use the 9.5 acres of land given to us by Alpart, and we are trying to build a new Newport. We want a new police station, library, and a clinic. I hope I will still be alive to see it all happen," she said, smiling.
Ms. Ward has been an educator for more than 42 years. She taught at the Ebenezer All-Age School for eight years before moving on to the Snowden Elementary School where she remained for 32 years. During her time there, she was promoted to senior teacher and on occasion, even acted as principal.
She remembers noteworthy students such as Dr. Pauline Samuda who works at the Ministry of Health.
"I like to serve. I am happy to do things for my community. I like doing voluntary work, visiting old people, especially in times of disaster," she said.
Ms. Ward has survived great difficulties, having lost her mother when she was 13 months old and received then no childhood support from her father. She grew up with her maternal grandmother, who was a post office messenger.
Driven by the zeal to succeed, she spent many late nights studying and with only a few hours sleep she prepared breakfast and lunch for her grandmother.
During that time, she was the top student at her school for two consecutive years.
