Thu | Dec 7, 2023

Ver gives back

Published:Tuesday | May 10, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown (second left) shares a moment with husband and fellow athlete, Omar Brown (left), Dr Curline Christie (right), principal of St Andrew Technical, and Heida Cooke-Benjamin, acting principal of Irwin High, during the launch of the Veronica Campbell-Brown Foundation at Terra Nova Hotel yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer



  • Sprint queen launches foundation to help schoolgirls

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaican sprint queen and UNESCO ambassador for gender equality, Veronica Campbell-Brown, yesterday delivered on her promise, by launching her foundation at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, pledging a yearly contribution of $1.2 million to four local schoolgirls.

Campbell-Brown, who first made her intentions public after she received the RJR Foundation Sportswoman of the Year award in January, announced the benefits and criteria for selection and also announced that this year's four recipients will come from her alma mater Vere Technical, Troy High, St Andrew Technical High and Irwin High schools.

The Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB) Foundation will provide funds for books, fees and living assistance to the recipients over a four-year period.

For their part, the students must maintain a B average and must also be involved in extracurricular activities at their school, church or within their community, in order to remain eligible for the scholarship.

This extracurricular activity does not have to be sport.

Campbell-Brown said that she was excited about her new undertaking and was looking forward to giving back, as she has always received the assistance of others throughout her life.

"I am excited, I've always benefited from the help of others, so I'm very excited that we are now launching this foundation where we will be able to give back and help," said Campbell-Brown.

"We all know that it's a little bit harder for a woman in general in society and as a UNESCO ambassador for gender equality, I feel like by launching this foundation it will help to accomplish my mission," said the 2010 World Indoor Championships 60-metre champion.

affect lives

"The importance lies in the fact that I have engaged a talented and industrious group to positively affect the lives of children and young adults in Jamaica. Today, I stand here ready to make a brighter tomorrow for that little girl in Trelawny, or that young lady in St James, or those in Clarendon, who except for some assistance from someone, will not realise her worth," Campbell-Brown added. "The VCB Foundation is ready to assist and as such, will offer assistance to four female students, commencing September."

The defending Olympic 200m champion will also be contributing 25 per cent of her earnings from one meet each season towards the foundation.

"These scholarships, valued at approximately $1.2 million, will cover the expenses of the students throughouttheir high-school years, providing they conform to the prescribed merit criteria," said Campbell-Brown.

"In addition to the amount that I have committed to the foundation from the Sportswoman of the Year award I won in January, I will commit 25 per cent of my earnings from one race each season."

In order to benefit, each applicant should complete a form, provide information on occupation and income of parents/guardians; submit a short essay on a topic determined by the foundation; submit letters of recommendation from a prominent member of the community, and a teacher; and submit the completed application form with all the relevant documents to the principal of the school or his/her nominee.