VJHOPE Foundation honours outstanding students

The VJHOPE Foundation, a Kingston-based non-profit organisation, in its continued mission to empower Jamaican youth to become leaders, change makers and model citizens, has recognized three exceptional students who embody academic excellence, resilience, and a commitment to community service.

The foundation’s 2025 honorees are D’Anna-Kay Anderson, Diandra Douglas, and Zedaine Litchmore, who are being celebrated for their inspiring achievements and their dedication to uplifting others.

“This year’s awards highlight each recipient’s quest to demonstrate that hope is not just an ideal — it is an active force for transformation,” said Dr Ruby Jaisingh, executive director of the VJHOPE Foundation.

The first-place winner, D’Anna-Kay Anderson, two-time scholarship recipient and community leader, is a student of St. Andrew High School for Girls. She received the VJHOPE scholarship for the second consecutive year, marking her as a standout in both academic performance and leadership.

Under the guidance of the VJHOP Foundation’s Executive Directors Dr.Lorenzo Gordon and Dr Ruby Jaisingh and Programme Director Dr Arlene. Blake-McCain, D’Anna-Kay implemented The Youth Empowerment Possibilities (YEP) programme in her community of Coburn Gardens.

IMPACTFUL SESSION

The inaugural YEP event, held April 12, featured a motivational address by a Jamaica Constabulary Force officer from the Three Miles Division. The impactful session inspired two attendees to pursue and win their own VJHOPE awards. The programme is now set to become an annual initiative.

Diandra Douglas of Holy Childhood High School earned the 2025 VJHOPE Award for Essay Writing, impressing judges with her compelling narrative on unity and personal responsibility. Her work underscores the enduring power of the written word to inspire thought and action.

At just nine years old, Zedaine Litchmore of Dupont Primary shared his personal journey of living with a disability through a heartfelt essay. His story, filled with optimism and determination, resonated deeply with audiences and judges alike. “Being different doesn’t mean you can’t be happy,” he wrote, capturing the spirit of perseverance that the foundation seeks to nurture.

LEGACY OF EMPOWERMENT

“The VJHOPE Foundation doesn’t just award scholarships,” said Dr Lorenzo Gordon. “We nurture leaders. We give them the tools to create opportunities not only for themselves but for those who will come after them.”

“It is important to recognise the achievements and nurture the talents of these youngsters,” said Dr. Arlene Blake-McCain. “They are the future of Jamaica, and it becomes our responsibility to guide, mentor, and show the right direction to these youngsters.”

The VJHOPE Foundation’s work is a testament to the belief that when you invest in young people, the returns extend far beyond individual success. As D’Anna-Kay and her fellow YEP leaders prepare for the programme and continue to use their voices to uplift others, the foundation’s vision of empowering youth to become change makers is coming to life in tangible, lasting ways.

“In Coburn Gardens, in classrooms, and in the hearts of everyone who hears their stories, these young Jamaicans are already making that vision a reality,” said Dr Singh. “If their early achievements are anything to go by, the future of their communities is in very capable hands.”

She added that the 2025 honorees would continue to be involved in community initiatives, ensuring that the cycle of empowerment grows stronger with each passing year.

For more information about the VJHOPE Foundation and its programmes, email them at vjhopefoundation@gmail.com or call at +1 (876) 226-1708. The next application period will open January 20, 2026 to March 20, 2026