IN the afterglow of Christmas, Bahamian students on holiday break from various educational institutions gathered at an annual scholars reception to express their gratitude to the Lyford Cay Foundations for making their studies possible.

For Keia Armbrister, one of the student speakers that evening, support from the Foundations has enabled her to travel the world while earning her bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Naval Architecture at SUNY Maritime College in Throggs Neck, New York.

“When I first went to college, my Mom paid my first semester and we had no clue how I was going to finish,” Keia said, becoming visibly emotional. “Today, I’d like to say thank you, because if it wasn’t for the Lyford Cay Foundations I wouldn’t be here today or be able to do what I enjoy.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity.”

Keia was followed at the podium by Yolanda Rolle, who thanked the Foundations for their support both in 1997, when she first studied electrical engineering and mathematics abroad, and also presently, for assisting her in exploring another deeply held passion: becoming a priest through her current studies at the Yale School of Divinity.

The most important part of the annual reception is the chance it provides for Foundation donors and the scholars to meet and interact with each other.

“For a lot of these young Bahamians, they are in college because of the Foundations,” said Monique Hinsey, director of Educational Programmes and Alumni Affairs. “They are very appreciative, and this is a great opportunity for them to meet people who believe in them – to be able to see the faces of the people who have invested in their education. It’s also great for donors to see their investment up close and personal. It personifies the gift and puts it into action.”

This year, the reception also put on display the talents of future college students with a speech by fifth-grade FOCUS participant Edwin Simmons.

FOCUS (Forward and Onward to College. Upward to Success) is a tuition-free programme of the Foundations which recruits motivated fourth graders from the northwestern public school district of New Providence and sets them on an eight-year path to college and career success.

The initiative provides 45 additional days of teaching to students annually through a project-based curriculum that combines formal classroom instruction with a host of fun and hands-on educational activities.

Edwin, who is set to graduate high school in the class of 2019, shared an inspiring recollection of his journey toward self-empowerment through learning, which he wrote as part of a FOCUS competition.

“My speech is about the power of education and opening the door to my future,” he said. “I realised that was the only way I would succeed. What I want people to learn is that it is not about winning the speech competition, it’s about giving it and being an inspiration, a stepping stone for other people. I want to show people that if I can do it, others can do it too. I want to make them believe. FOCUS is a really great place that taught me that. They encourage you, lift you, and push you.”

Though FOCUS was launched less than two years ago, it has already become an integral part of the Foundations’ mission to enrich the lives of Bahamians through education.

It is this core promise and belief, said Foundation donor Leandro Vazquez, that fuels his commitment – and that of many others – to continue to assist Bahamian students.

“They say, if you give a fish to someone, they will eat for a day, but if you teach them how to fish, they will eat for a lifetime,” he said.