Jamaican Government Honors Students Who Helped Save Life of Fellow Schoolmate

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has commended five secondary students for their heroic actions in seeking medical attention for their severely injured schoolmate, enlisting them as ‘Ambassadors for Good’.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness poses with the students at the ceremony on Tuesday (JIS Photo)The youngsters – Leon Barnes, Khari Green, Garry Bartley, Daejuan Gordon and Dejaun Powell – were each presented with a laptop and a certificate of official commendation at a ceremony held at Jamaica House, “in recognition of exemplary and selfless action performed on behalf of Jaheim Coleman, a fellow student at the B.B. Coke High School on Thursday, 28th September, 2023”.

Holness told the ceremony that “it is not often that we see the kind of response that we saw with the young men from B.B. Coke and how they assisted their fellow student, Jaheim.

“The level of social dissonance that we see, particularly in our schools, particularly with the use of violence can sometimes lead us to believe that the value base of the society is totally eroded.

“What we saw being displayed is a reaffirmation that the core of our society is still good and that there are young people in our society, without prompting, who will act in the interest of their fellowmen,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the students acted as good Samaritans and their deeds must be acknowledged, praised and encouraged.

“Jaheim’s survival today could be tied to the actions of these young men. In acknowledging it, we also give tokens that they can have to [recall] this moment and to enlist them as Ambassadors for Good and Ambassadors of Positive Behaviour,” Holness said.

The students expressed their appreciation for the lap tops.

Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams, said that she has visited the hospitalized student several times and commended the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the swift action taken and the quality of care being provided.

“Up to Sunday afternoon, we were there (at hospital) with his mother, uncle, his aunt, his brother and other relatives, ” she said, noting that when she last saw Jaheim, he was able to sit up in a chair.

“He indicated that he was feeling well and that, most importantly, he had already forgiven the other student who caused him to be in the hospital,” Mrs. Williams said.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman, Cetany Holness, praised the students for their actions.

“No vehicle was available at the time [of the incident] and they took him up in their hands and took him to the doctor. As chairman of the institution, I commend them highly for what they have done,” Holness said.