Farmers proud as first born readies for college

As Daynea Lewis walked off the stage clutching her scholarship certificate and a knapsack, she headed straight to her parents, who wrapped her in a tight embrace.

But it was the kiss on her cheek from her father, Denton, that melted the hearts of all who saw it. Despite years of financial struggles and hard days in the fields, rural St Ann farmers Denton and Althea Lewis couldn't be prouder of their first-born, 19-year-old Daynea, who is set to attend The University of the West Indies (UWI) this September.

"It was an overwhelming feeling, it was the icing on the cake when she got the scholarship and she got accepted to go UWI," Althea told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"It's a great feeling knowing that she will be able to pursue her dreams with Sagicor Foundation being there to help."

The couple, who live in a deep rural community outside Claremont, have weathered countless financial storms to raise their seven children, the youngest just one year and six months old. Daynea, the eldest for Althea, always had a plan to break new ground in the family.

"She wanted to be the first to go to university and let her siblings know that it's possible," said the proud mother.

Farming eggs, rearing cattle, and taking on occasional construction jobs have been the family's main sources of income, especially after Lewis lost his hotel job during the COVID-19 pandemic. But even in lean times, they never let go of their daughter's dream.

Lewis, 53, recalled that moment Daynea received her certificate.

"To be honest with you, God provide for us to have such a moment, I am more than grateful. I saw her on the podium collecting her certificate knowing that Sagicor Foundation had over a thousand children across the island who applied and she is one of the 55 that get selected," he said. Lewis recalled the sacrifices that his daughter had to make in order to achieve.

"She had to take the bus every day and that cost $12,000 up to $20,000 a month. We had days when I had a car and had to be taking it to the workshop fi a whole month. But we had to wake up before day, cook before we leff the yaad, the latest 4:30 a.m. She eat her breakfast on the way, and then when we reach close to school, we mek she brush her teeth because we walk with containers with water," he said.

For Daynea, who started her secondary education at Westwood High School before completing sixth form at York Castle High School, the road has been anything but easy.

"I had a lot of difficulties in terms of devices and Internet during COVID, but I saw where I had to push on, and with God's grace and mercy, I did excel in CSEC and moved on to excel in CAPE," she said.

This September, she will begin a psychology degree with plans to later transition into law. But her ambitions aren't only for herself.

"Being the oldest of my siblings I see myself as a role model to them. I want my siblings to see that there's more to life and that they can do more. Be that representation to show them that there are heights that you can reach way beyond what persons might see or what persons might believe," said Daynea.

"Throughout Westwood, I had challenges fitting in and becoming a person who was very open-minded, because coming from primary school, I was very anxious socially. I had to be open to learn more and to garner new skills and I would say that a very impactful year for me would have been in grade nine."

Daynea is quick to credit not just her parents, but also her grandmother and aunt for standing in her corner.

"From the very day of conception to now, they've always been supportive of my dreams. Any time I feel like I can't make it, I know they are here for me and that's what gets me through it, because believe me, it can get very depressing. This is not the end, I'm just starting and there's more to come."