Youth wants to get mom off the street

Uhraine Miller is hoping that with a well-rounded education, he will be able to secure a suitable job to not only rid his family from poverty but to care for his mentally ill mother.

The 18-year-old Seaview Gardens, St Andrew, resident was recently accepted at NorQuest College in Edmonton, Canada, for a diploma programme and is expected to begin classes in May. But he is unable to find the CD$40,000 (approximately J$4.5 million) tuition fees. Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, the Norman Manley High School past student said he is seeking the public's assistance in finding the money.

"I need to be different and marketable. I need to be an asset so I have decided that I want to study overseas. If I can gain some first-world knowledge and integrate it with my Caribbean knowledge, then I can certainly be much of an asset to my home country. I want to study business management and major in operations, but the financials will be a major stoppage in my path. It's like I am stuck and I am just reaching out for help as my tuition is CD$40,000 for both years and I have come nowhere close to getting that amount," he said.

"If there is any way you can contribute towards my studies, I would greatly appreciate it. I can assure you that I am a promised one and I have my plans down already," he added.

Miller, who lives with his grandmother Barbara Jones, stressed that his greatest wish is to get his mother the much needed care that she requires.

"When I reflect on my life, I realise that I am going to have a lot of responsibilities because my mother is mentally ill and I would want to be in a position to get her off the streets. I am from a financially challenged family. Seeing my mother walking around in the streets while I am in public transportation is never a good sight, knowing that I am not able to help her. She was a promised one. We never had a tight relationship but she knows I am her son and my age and so on," he said.

"I love my mom very much even though we are not around each other every day. I can feel the love even when I see her in the streets. My family tried to get her medical assistance but it just wasn't working. My mother is a bit stubborn but we still get her to try, but it wasn't working. I still believe as her son there is a way out for her, and I would love to bring my mother to her normal state," Miller added.

Persons wishing to assist Uhraine Miller may contact him at 876- 428-8842.