The requirements for 2020 iteration of the Summer of Service (SOS) scholarship were temporarily adjusted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The various restrictions meant that participants would not be able to volunteer in traditional ways. Participants were encouraged to think creatively about projects that could be implemented virtually under the supervision of IBI Ambassadors and the GGPE Secretariat.
Five (5) students were selected for the 2020 SOS scholarships, stemming from a wider pool of forty-four (44) applicants. The 2020 recipients were selected based on their verifiable track record of academic excellence and exemplary voluntary service.
Having assessed the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the resultant increase in the need for financial assistance to tertiary students, the GGPE extended additional support to eight (8) students who received scholarships in 2019. These students, who were recipients of one-year scholarships and book grants, were selected to receive continued support for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Through the generous support of our kind sponsors, the total value of our giving this year is approximately six (6) million dollars. The GGPE is truly grateful for the partnerships with local universities and colleges, corporate and other committed sponsors who have chosen to join us on this journey, playing their part in support of education.
These partners include:
- First Regional Cooperative Credit Union (FRCCU)
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
- Mr. Mark Gonzales (Mail Pac)
- Consular Corps of Jamaica
- GraceKennedy Limited
- Kingston Bookshop
- NCB Foundation
