Albouystown, Berbice teen youth share their CSEC success stories
– All received 17 CSEC passes
Not Rehanna Ramsay
Albouystown Youth: Ajay Kissoon.
Berbice teen: Jamelia Amanda Paddy.
Kaieteur News – An Albouystown teen and a Berbice girl are among the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEC) success stories for 2020.
Students, Ajay Kissoon of Chase Academy and Jamelia Amanda Paddy of JC Chandisingh High School in Berbice, secured 17 CSEC subjects during one of the most difficult years to sit an exam – 2020. All students with Kaieteur News shared some of the challenges which they conquered. to ensure academic success.
As for Kissoon, while most Guyanese would associate Albouystown with many social evils, he told this publication that coming from Hogg Street, Albouystown is proof that stereotypes can be wrong. He claimed, “good can come out of anywhere, once the proper systems are in place.”
In 2015, Kissoon benefited from an academic scholarship from Chase Academy given his best behavior and performance at school.
The Academy’s founder, Mr Henry Chase, explained, “Ajay was always an outstanding student in the class and after graduation. When I heard he was coming from the ghetto, immediately I felt I had to help him out. ”
The student said preparing for his exams before and during the COVID-19 period was challenging, he received lessons in the early morning and late at night.
Some days, he had to travel from Albouystown to the South for Chemistry lessons in Ms.’s lessons. Cole and Principle of Accounts at Miss Whittaker and then return to English classes AND Sir Chase. Kissoon wrote Maths and English A, the previous year.
He obtained Grade One in Mathematics and Grade Two in English A. This prepared him for 2020.
With his parents as his rock, the young man devoted much of his time to study to prove he could excel.
He explained that his mother, who is a Christian, made sure that he followed the teachings of the Bible. “Mum stayed up studying late hours every night. She was my rock. He prayed for God to protect me in this evil world. ”
This time, he wrote 19 subjects and passed 17 (with Biology and Integrated Science coming back ungraded for the center.) Ajay received Grade Ones in English A, EDPM, Human and Social Biology, Mathematics, Physical Education, Principles Business. Degrees Two in Chemistry, Information Technology, Office Administration, Physics, Accounting Principles and Degree Degrees in Economics, English B, Geography, Religious Education, Social Studies and Spanish.
The student believed that without the help of his teachers, including Calvin, Sir Beaton, Miss Suzette, Sir Langhorne, Ms Cole, Miss Whittaker, Sir Ambrose, Sir Jornel, Ms Daniels, it would not have been possible and not forgetting Sir Chase.
He stated, “Sir Chase is a classic example of hard love. He was a stranger to us and for this reason, more than 90 per cent of us passed English A, ”said the student.
Given his achievement and socioeconomic background, Kissoon said he wants to share his story to help motivate others that the youths in depressed communities like Albouystown are not beyond redemption.
“I would like the young people to understand that education will open doors for many opportunities, and would allow our young people to think constructively. Education won’t leave you like money … I want every young person to know that anything is possible. Work hard, be disciplined and put God first, ”he said, adding that in retrospect he now believes that God has gone to Chase Academy.
“I had God’s favor for this scholarship,” added Kissoon.
The Albouystown teen asked that many ghetto teens do not have this support system.
“This is sad. I tell people I’m from the “ghetto” but I managed to get 17 CSEC subjects. If I can do it, then anyone with a determined spirit and supportive people around can do it too. I pray that the relevant authorities look after our disadvantaged young people. Help them get back to school, afternoon lessons or even organize sports activities. This would reduce many of the social issues affecting Guyana, ”he appealed.
He noted that many of those young people who are often ignored by society have big dreams. To this end, he told Kaieteur News that his career goal is to become a neurosurgeon.
“I want to be a blessing to the human race. I have been fortunate to receive favors and blessings and one day I will be a blessing to others, ”he said.
Much like Kissoon, a 16-year-old Fyrish Village Corentyne, Jamelia Amanda Paddy, Berbice’s daughter, grew up in a very supportive home, where her parents played a big part in her success.
Paddy, who received 17 CSEC passes, said she was motivated by her mother, and described a humble and God-fearing individual.
“She always motivates me to do better, leads me along the way and gets slim with me from time to time,” said the teenager. She added that she was not always aware of her academics until she entered high school.
He explained, “in high school, I took education more seriously. The reason is because in high school, the level of education was developing and more priorities needed to be made… ”
Paddy noted, though, that by the time she was ready to sit the exams, the country was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the right support system, Paddy pointed out that the coronavirus was not a barrier to their success, “because all along, I learned to trust Jesus. With help and guidance from God, I came out with all my subjects successfully.
The teenager, who is currently aspiring to become an attorney, and currently pursuing it at the University of Guyana, extends her heartfelt thanks to her teachers, parents, grandparents, brother (JJ), aunts, uncles and other relatives who aided the great result.
“To this day, I must say that I am very grateful,” said Paddy, adding that she, with her renewed confidence in God, knows that one day she will complete her studies and have her own law platform .