Over 100 hurricane-affected students in western Jamaica get financial boost from Usain Bolt Foundation

More than 100 students in western Jamaica who were affected by Hurricane Melissa have received a boost to their education, as the Usain Bolt Foundation has donated nearly $10 million to several schools to assist with expenses for the 2026/27 academic year.

The students, who are from Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth, were successful in their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations and will receive assistance towards school fees and other expenses throughout the academic year.

The foundation, which was created by Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, is providing $1 million to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STEHS) and Maggoty High School in St Elizabeth; Godfrey Stewart High School and Petersfield High School in Westmoreland; Green Island High School and Merlene Ottey High School in Hanover; and Green Pond High School and Maldon High School in St James.

It was indicated that guidance counsellors at the schools will identify the students considered most in need of the assistance.

In Trelawny, 17 PEP students from Waldensia Primary School, which is Bolt’s alma mater, will each receive grants of $100,000.

Chairman of the foundation, Winsome Wilkins, stated that the organisation has a mandate to oversee the educational and cultural development of children.

For his part, Bolt said he is happy to be in a position to meaningfully touch the lives of the students, especially given the impact of the Category Five hurricane, which hit Jamaica last October.

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