Two receive DOWASCO scholarships

Dominica Water and Sewerage Company, (DOWASCO) has provided the opportunity for two students to further their education.

On Friday the company awarded two scholarships to Kermisha Elie, 11 of the Kalinago Territory and Zedan Lockhart, 12 of Trafalgar at a ceremony held at company’s office located on High Street in Roseau.

The scholarships are worth $750 per child and cover school supplies.

The scholarships are based primarily on performance at the Grade Six National Assessment with one going to the child of a staff member of DOWASCO based on merit, who had not received either a government bursary or a government scholarship, and the other to a customer of DOWASCO based on performance and need.

Elie expressed her gratitude for the scholarships.

“Thanks to you …. you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the importance of school,” Elie who will be attended the Castle Bruce Secondary School in the new academic year said. “Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community.”

Elie hopes that one day she will be able to help students achieve their goals.

Lockhart, who will attend the St Mary’s Academy, stated that, “gratitude creates the most wonderful feeling” and “from the bottom of my heart I want to thank DOWASCO for awarding me this scholarship.”

According to him, many would give anything to get this opportunity.

“So I will promise to make the most out of it,” he stated.

Meanwhile General Manager of DOWASCO, Bernard Ettinoffe, noted that education is important and is very happy that the DOWASCO scholarship program, which was suspended for a period of four years because of financial constraints, has returned.

“We began last year and we awarded two scholarships; one to Miss Nya Lockhart who attends the Pierre Charles Secondary School, the other to Mr Eissel Green who attends the Dominica Grammar School,” he explained. “Those two awardees have performed satisfactory over the last financial year and we are continuing to support them during this school year.”

He revealed that the scholarships are for a period of five years and are based on performance.

“In other words if somebody decide to spend five years in first form or second form, the scholarship will have to be terminated,” Ettinoffe explained. “We are encouraging you to go out there and do your best to perform to maintain your scholarship for the five year period, first form to fifth form…”

He said the company is standing ready to provide additional support to the students.

“A little counselling if we can, assistance with your SBA’s, if we can,” Ettinoffe said. “We want you to succeed because we see your success as a success of Dominican students of the Dominicans human resource.”

The program wouldn’t be possible without the help of the government of Dominica, Etinnoffe said.

“ This couldn’t have been done without the support of the government of Dominica and so we are moving one step further by not just providing water, but looking at how DOWASCO can assist in the other aspects of development of the social need of our people,” he remarked.

Over the years DOWASCO has awarded eight scholarships to students to attend secondary school.