ROUND HILL, Hanover — Jerome Garwood has already been conferred with the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence, he’s one of the recipients of the 2025 Hanover Charities educational scholarships, and this week he will add the prestigious Governor General’s Achievement Award to his list of accolades.

He received the PM’s youth award in May, a nod to his outstanding achievements in education and community service. His accomplishments are all the more impressive when viewed within the context of what he has had to overcome. And he has big dreams of accomplishing even more.

Garwood, who hails from the rural Hanover communities of Mount Peace and Caldwell, was raised by his mother in a single-parent household, alongside two older siblings. His journey has been marked by perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite financial hardship, Garwood became the first member of his immediate family to graduate from high school. Determined to continue his education, he spent a year working for minimum wage at Jamaica Defence Force, saving enough to begin his studies at Montego Bay Community College with the help of a scholarship from Hanover Charities.

His early college years were difficult. Without a personal laptop, he often stayed late into the night in the computer lab, working on assignments for his architecture and construction technology course.

“I used to stay back at nights, up to 10:00 pm sometimes, in the computer lab or the technical drawing room, drawing. My aunt used to pick me up at night, brought me home. I remember starting off with like two suits of uniform. After I reached home early in the evening [I would] wash them [and] go back to school again,” Garwood told the Jamaica Observer.

The determined young man would later receive a full four-year scholarship from the Ministry of Education to move on to University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech). But even with the full scholarship, his financial struggles were not over. They were coupled with emotional struggles following the deaths of his uncle, grandmother and sister. Through it all, Garwood persevered, actively engaging in campus life as a class representative, mentor, Sunday school teacher, and deputy director of spiritual development in UTech’s Students’ Union. In 2024, he graduated as valedictorian.

“At one point I almost stopped my studies. I received counselling from [the] UTech guidance counsellor, my faculty members chipped in, and they encouraged me to continue my studies because I lost my uncle and then my grandmother. I lost my sister just last year as well, after finishing up, so it was a very challenging period at UTech — not just financially, but emotionally as well. But, I stuck at it and I came through. And, as I said, I graduated as valedictorian at the end of it all,” he proudly stated.

Now, Garwood works as a quantity surveyor with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining. Committed to giving back, he volunteers with Hanover Charities, helping them manage construction costs on school renovation projects — a way to enable the charity to help even more students.

He has dreams of furthering his education. And while funding remains a challenge, with only Hanover Charities currently committed to supporting him, he remains hopeful.

“I would like to start studying again, this time at Robert Gordon University in Scotland where I would like to pursue a Master of Science in Construction Law and Arbitration. Right now it’s not looking very likely because only Hanover Charities has committed to invest so far, and it’s just me alone. I’m the breadwinner for my family. I have some savings but at the same time, I have my mother, grandmother, siblings, neighbours, nieces and all that,” Garwood explained.

He has very clearly defined goals.

“After I get that degree in construction law and arbitration I plan to create a joint quantity surveying and construction law firm locally, and hopefully provide many employment opportunities for youth with an interest in construction. Not only that, I plan to continue my work with Hanover Charities, not at the current level I am at but even do something greater. I plan to partner with them in the future to hopefully provide a scholarship in my sister’s name, Sabrina Garwood — the one that passed away last year. This scholarship would be for students interested in pursuing any construction-related programme at a tertiary institution, because I believe [the] construction industry is one worth investing in, in Jamaica,” Garwood said.

“I had the blessing of growing up here and watching so many of you talented, creative women run this party,” shared Sugar Cane Ball Chair LeeLee Wiginton Ray as she — flanked by Hanover Charities Chair Katrin Casserly, Vice-Chair Jennifer Flanagan and Co-Chair Lyn Aust — faced approximately 350 guests who, after cocktail hour, converged on the Round Hill Hotel and Villas courtyard for the 68th iteration of Hanover Charities’ Sugar Cane Ball, held on Saturday, February 15.

“It has been the biggest blessing to do it with my mama. She chaired this ball in 1998 and ‘An Evening in Old Havana’ was her theme. And so we decided this year to bring her theme back. So we are so glad to do it together. This has been such a fun experience and we are so grateful to have all of you generous people here tonight. So, let’s raise some money for the best cause in the world,” she continued. Wiginton Ray’s mother, Lyn Aust, whose involvement with Hanover Charities spans three decades, currently serves as co-chair alongside her daughter.

‘An Evening In Old Havana’ was set against the idyllic backdrop of the iconic resort complete with lapping waves. The allure of the Cuban-inspired soirée was undeniable! The Tai Flora Luxe décor promised an escape from the ordinary. As guests swanned across the hotel foyer’s iconic black and white tiles and made their way down the steps, they were greeted with unrivalled views of the Caribbean Sea, complemented by an 11-foot high grass wall dotted with canotiers. To its right, a CPJ premium bar.

By 8:00 pm, with organisers eager to get the formalities started, guests, escorted by violinist Rosangel Miranda Gomez and the Harmony Dancers, made their way to the Tai Flora Luxe-designed Old Havana dinner and show, where twinkling lights created a warm and enchanting canopy, tables were dressed in fuchsia and orange linen and adorned with centrepieces — a mix of freshly harvested fruits and lush flora, wicker tablemats with fiery orange and hot pink napkins housed menus in complementary hues. Rattan lanterns, draped in bougainvillea blooms, cast an inviting glow over the entire scene infusing the space with nostalgia. The heart of the authentic Cuban experience, however, resided in the cuisine, with fare like Mojo Chicken and Cuban Churro.

Prior to the official start, Round Hill Managing Director and Hanover Charities Director Josef Forstmayer acknowledged the recent passing of fellow director, Custos of Hanover Dr David Stair. “I would like for us to have a moment of silence for our dear custos rotulorum … who has been a fixture in Hanover and passed 10 days ago… May he rest in peace and eternal light shine on him,” said Forstmayer.

A few hours later — and after a lively auction during which Christie’s New York auctioneer Rachael White Young, in record time, raised US$148,000 for the 2025 Container of Love, (born out of the critical needs of schools and communities. The objective [each year] is to fill a 40ft container with essential items which are imported each summer before the academic term begins) and saw New York investor Chris Mahan emerging as the highest live auction bidder with a winning bid of US$20,000 for four floor-seat tickets to the 2025 Jingle Ball. Guests later took to the dance floor to the sounds of the Chokey Taylor Band, in celebration of another successful fund-raising event.

Cottage 2 Foundation President Lysandra Ohrstrom was in a particularly upbeat mood moments after an initial donation of US$25,000, and an additional pledge of US$5,000 to the Hanover Charities Container of Love. Ohrstrom said that she was proud to help the parish which has been an integral part of her life. Before hitting the dance floor, she spoke exclusively to SO.

“Inequality and the cost of living on the island have skyrocketed and my family has been a part of Round Hill for 30 years. These people birthed me and I want to give back to the parish of Hanover,” said Ohrstrom.

Her generous donation, and that of others, will change the lives of thousands of Hanover families, and cover the costs of filling a 40-foot container with food items, as well as school and medical supplies, and associated shipping costs to Jamaica. “We started our foundation this year, so it made sense that its first big donation would be to Hanover Charities. I hope that they continue to fund the food bank which feeds, I think, 700 people a week and I hope they keep giving books to the public school students. I hope that they keep doing that important work.”

Hanover Charities, the largest non-profit, 501c3 organisation in Western Jamaica, hosts the Sugar Cane Ball on the second Saturday of February annually. The charitable ball serves as the sparkling crown jewel of a week of philanthropic events, all in support of Round Hill’s long-standing charitable partner Hanover Charities.

Source: Observer

Despite the rain, the Hanover Charities/Chukka Foundation Polo event in Sandy Bay, Hanover, shone brilliantly on Sunday.

The parade of the annual hat competition was undeterred, with creative women strutting their stuff and showcasing innovative designs that captivated the crowd. This year’s contest was especially intriguing as twice-defending champion attorney-at-law Tameka Bryce opted out, leaving the field wide open.

In a delightful twist, a long-time attendee, Sherica Thelwell of Delta Vacations, who usually remains behind the scenes, stepped into the spotlight and claimed victory, earning a weekend for two at the Jamaican Inn in Ocho Rios. She, however, received stiff competition from crowd favourites MBJ Airports Limited’s Melissa Bernard and attorney Iyana Godfrey.

On the field, the excitement was palpable as the Americans clinched the trophy in a display of thrilling, energetic polo that matched the event’s festive spirit.

Source: Gleaner 

It’s fact life Jamaica taxpayers’ money can’t stretched meet needs. For reason, governments always required help that’s possible capacity desire. Health education rank high among publicly-funded sectors benefit immensely support private charities support groups. Long may entities prosper, Mrs Katrin Casserly-led Hanover Charities, renowned decades good deeds Hanover, western Jamaica.

Now, Hanover Charities prepares main fund-raiser — next month’s prestigious annual black-tie, red-carpet, Sugar Cane Ball luxurious Round Hill Hotel & Villas, related week-long activities — told plans place re-establish breakfast programme primary schools. The programme suspended COVID-19 pandemic hit catastrophic consequences early 2020. “This definitely something want [do], addition projects continue running become part us,” Mrs Casserly told newspaper.

Last year, Hanover Charities reportedly received record donations $125 million fund projects. In education sector included innovative renovation containers create study areas laboratories; along classroom furniture schools, including upgraded Dalmally Basic. We told last year 219 students high school master’s degree level benefited scholarships worth $37 million total. Scholarship winners encouraged study wide range subjects, including medicine, law, social work, engineering, agriculture, eventually give back home parish country.

Outside education, 2024 Hanover Charities able fund two additional soup kitchens — New Milns Hopewell — alongside Kitchen Love Lucea. We told charity feeds 1,000 people per week “thanks army volunteers coming together various churches cook serve…” Last year charity also provided Westhaven Children’s Home Lucea Infirmary mattresses, clothing, sanitary supplies.

Given above, it’s no wonder Hanover educators heaping praise Hanover Charities chair. “Hanover Charities one best things ever happened school. Mrs Casserly gem Hanover schools. Most appliances I school right come Hanover Charities. Our latest donation… half-a-million-dollar copier,” Mr Ryan Pusey, principal Cave Valley Primary School, told newspaper. And acting principal Hopewell High School, Mr Leroy Gordon, reportedly equally thankful Hanover Charities school’s soon-to-be-completed auto mechanic classroom housed retrofitted container. “We final phase finishing construction now…We wouldn’t got far without donation,” Mr Gordon said.

Beyond above, believe it’s important recognise power example work done Hanover Charities. Let’s imagine much could achieved every parish charitable initiatives along lines scope outlined here. That’s food thought, believe.

Read Full Article | Jamaica Observer