“A lot of our Samaritan Scholars have had to grow up too quickly,” said our Program Director in Jamaica, Sonja Robinson. “They haven’t had the opportunity to just be children without responsibilities.”

These students are growing up in Riverton, in an area known for housing the island’s main garbage dump. They face threats of violence, hazardous environmental conditions, economic challenges, and discrimination based on the community from which they come. 

One of those scholars is LaTanya, an eighth grader. She loves to read, dance, and sing. Her goal is to become a teacher and, as she said, “help other kids shoot for the stars.” 

LaTanya is a top student who scores excellent grades. She’s been excelling in school while also taking care of her sick mother. Just this past December, her mother passed away, which left LaTanya and her two brothers on their own. LaTanya’s older brother is now their main breadwinner, despite mobility challenges from residing in a wheelchair. LaTanya and her younger brother, who is also a Samaritan Scholar, are still pursuing their educations. 

“She’s so strong,” Sonja said about LaTanya. “Despite her pain and challenges, she’s been able to look beyond her circumstances to help other people and show kindness and love to others.”

That kindness and love that LaTanya continues to show, despite her grief, “is the spirit of Christianity,” Sonja explained. “Jesus was still there for other people, even though he had his own cross to bear.”

LaTanya is one of 80 Samaritan Scholars in the Jamaica program, all determined to get an education and rise out of poverty. The team in Jamaica is committed to walking with them during that journey. They’re also looking for ways to give these scholars some childhood experiences.

When American school groups visit as part of our Learn, Serve, Grow program the teens learn about each other’s cultures, volunteer with service projects, and find time to play games together. Teens from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School have an upcoming trip planned, and the scholars in Jamaica are already planning to teach the Americans cricket. In turn, the U of D students want to play American football with their counterparts in Jamaica.

“These students need some opportunities to just be kids,” Sonja said.

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting 950 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.

Empower our scholars to change their lives. Become a monthly supporter.

Sonja M. Robinson, Program Director

Sonja holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Communication for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies. She has played the roles of counselor, mentor, trainer, and educator. Sonja believes in living a life of purpose and service.