Teenager living in churchyard seeks assistance for tertiary education

Class of 2023 Wolmer's graduate Maleeka Johnson's biggest desire is to attend and study business management and finance at the Monroe College in New Rochelle, New York.

She is thrilled to be accepted and hopes to begin her classes on September 6, but the 18-year-old is unable to find the US$36,000 (approximately J$5.6 million) required for tuition. She is reaching out to the public for assistance.

"I really need your help in making this dream a reality. I am turning to you for support, as I believe a career in that field will help not only me, but also my family. It will help to create a better quality of life and a better standard of living for my family," she said. Johnson and her family have been living on the compound of a churchyard for more than a decade and a half.

"We live on the compound of a church in Portmore, St Catherine. I have been living there for 16 years. We are the ones who cut the grass and clean out the church every weekend. The church people wanted someone to care for the church, so that's how we got to living there. We lost contact with my father two years ago, so it's just my mom, and I and my three brothers," Johnson said. She stated that life was never easy for her and her family, and recalled the days when she and her older sibling had to accompany their father on his day job as a landscaper.

"Me and my big brother used to follow my dad on the road, and we used to help him cut and rake up the grass. My family just did not have it, and there were times when we really didn't get lunch money and stuff like that, but we were on PATH. I remember in grade three at St Francis, we used to get like $200 for lunch money, but we were satisfied," she said.

Despite the hardship, Johnson excelled academically with a total of 10 CSEC subjects, seven with distinction. Among her distinction passes are principles of business, accounts, mathematics and English Language. She has a GPA of 4.0.

"Studying was something that we had to do, although we have to help clean the church on a regular basis. We don't mind doing it, as the church officials have given us a place to live and we are very appreciative of this. In January of this year I decided to get a job, so after school I would go there and work until late. Sometimes my boss used to carry me home and another time I would stay overnight, as it was just too late," she said.

"The salary from that job would be used for my lunch money or to help out with my two smaller siblings. I didn't mind doing it as it took the pressure a bit off my mom's shoulders," Johnson added.

She told THE WEEKEND STAR that she was accepted to eight universities in the United States, but chose Monroe because it was affordable and offered the area of study that sparked her interest.

"Many persons have asked me why not choose a local university or college, but I have faced a lot of traumas that would have led most persons to give up on everything. The opportunity in the US will provide me with a fresh start and provide an avenue for me to further my studies in modern businesses and management," Johnson said.

Persons wishing to assist Maleeka Johnson may make donations at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-maleeka-achieve-her-dream?qid=c084e5c5b3...