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Summer interns inspire hope at New Fortress back-to-school fairs

Published:Wednesday | August 24, 2022 | 12:09 AM
University engineering students completing their summer internship with New Fortress Energy were eager to volunteer at the company’s three back-to-school fairs in Hayes, Clarendon, Old Harbour Bay and Montego Bay recently. Here, some of the interns gathe
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University engineering students completing their summer internship with New Fortress Energy were eager to volunteer at the company’s three back-to-school fairs in Hayes, Clarendon, Old Harbour Bay and Montego Bay recently. Here, some of the interns gather for a quick photo at the Old Harbour Bay Development Centre. Front row (from left): Mikhail McDowell, Kai Clarke, Trina Robinson, Shemar Soares, Jada-Rochelle Walker, Verona Carter, VP, New Fortress Energy, Gawayne Wright, Martineil Bartley, Kevaughn Harrison, and Nile Anderson. Back row (from left): Kemar DaCosta and Omari Bawn.

Summer interns with New Fortress Energy (NFE) got the chance to immerse themselves in community volunteerism while demonstrating the power of giving back during the natural gas provider’s annual back-to-school fairs held in Clarendon, Old Harbour, and Montego Bay recently.

From August 9 to 11, close to 20 interns worked together to distribute much-needed items to more than 1,500 primary and high school students, most of whom are from vulnerable families who are financially challenged.

NFE’s Summer Engineering Programme is open to full-time engineering students who are enrolled in the Cryogenics Engineering elective course at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), as well as engineering students at the University of Technology (UTech) and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).

The interns, some of whom are also NFE’s STEM scholarship recipients, are each assigned to one of NFE’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities in Clarendon, Old Harbour, and Montego Bay for six weeks of intensive on-the-job LNG training.

In an atmosphere mixed with hope, inspiration, and excitement, the interns shared testimonies about their own personal journeys with the students, while encouraging them to stay focused despite their financial circumstances.

Omari Bawn, a mechanical engineering student at UTech, said: “Volunteering at NFE’s back-to-school events brought me tremendous joy. I want the students to know that nothing in this life is impossible; it takes great will and focus to accomplish anything, but before you do anything, remember that nothing great takes a day, but take each day to start something great.”

GUIDE THEM

Electrical engineering student, Trina Robinson, also from UTech and an NFE scholarship recipient, added: “It was great seeing the effort that NFE put into giving back to the communities. It was also uncanny to see students in a position I was once in. Fortunately, they have a company like NFE willing to help them financially and guide them into their future endeavours.”

Meanwhile, Gawayne Wright and Martineil Bartley, both from The UWI, echoed similar sentiments about their interaction with the students. “I was able to share my experiences with students from different backgrounds and learn a few things from them as well, said Wright, who is studying electrical engineering. He encouraged the students to use their time well by studying hard and aiming to have a balanced life with God at the centre of everything they do.

Bartley, who is studying biomedical engineering added: “As an NFE tertiary scholarship recipient myself, I was blown away by the impact that the company has been making in the lives of these students. I really enjoyed and appreciated getting the chance to volunteer at such an impactful event.”

Meanwhile, a final-year mechatronics engineering student from CMU, Jada-Rochelle Walker, referred to her experience as heart-warming. “It is my belief that a business is successful if the environment in which it is operating is healthy, thriving, and growing. I commend NFE on their corporate social responsibility efforts to make a positive contribution to society, through impactful and sustainable initiatives, especially in education.”

Nile Anderson, an electronics engineering student at The UWI, added: “I generally love volunteering, but this back-to-school project with New Fortress Foundation has captured a special place in my heart.

“Many of the students that I spoke with expressed a great need for this support. Many are from underprivileged communities and the idea of receiving this kind of support is novel and motivating for them. New Fortress sells more than LNG, they are pedlars of hope. This is truly the power of positive energy.”

This year, New Fortress Energy Foundation donated financial aid, bursaries and school supplies to over 1,500 primary and high school students. This includes financial vouchers of $10,000 each for over 900 students, community bursaries valued at $50,000 each for over 60 students, tablets for 100 students and free medicals for 300 students. Close to 1,500 students also received backpacks with notebooks and other school supplies.