Life Changing Stories
Una Jackson-Taylor: A lifetime of learning
70 year old, Una Jackson-Taylor is very much in the business of lifelong learning. Mrs. Taylor is currently a student of the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning’s Basic Literacy programme where she recently completed her exams for level four and is awaiting her results…and she is confident that she will do well.
After all, she is the 1997 JAMAL, All Island Quiz Competition champion. Mrs. Taylor relives the memories of her 1997 experience. “I came to the headquarters of JAMAL and competed against a boy and girl from St. Ann, we beat them and then went on to the finals at the Pegasus,” Mrs. Taylor recalls.
As a result of her victory, Una won a cash award of $19, 500 and an educational tour courtesy of Air Jamaica. For her educational tour she was flown to the US for a month. On her trip to the US, she visited museums across New York, Brooklyn and Miami as well as the Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Centre and the Statue of Liberty.
Mrs. Taylor is a resident of Rose Hill, Portland and says she got involved with the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (then JAMAL) when the leader of her church, Pastor Burrell brought the program to the church. “It was a good thing. Pastor Burrell brought it (the JAMAL programme) to the church and asked members to join it. I wanted to go back to school; I never had the opportunity so when this opportunity came I grabbed it.”
The programme offered lessons in Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Composition. The classes were offered on weekdays and taught by Pastor Burrell as well as Mrs. Marlene Welsh. The classes still continue at the church today. “I am just giving God thanks for Pastor Burrell and Mrs. Welch. Pastor enlightens us so that we can learn more. She is a blessed soul,” Taylor says.
Mrs. Taylor says she cannot understand persons who look down on programmes offered by the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning as she has witnessed many of her colleagues from the JAMAL program go on to sit other examinations such as those offered by the Caribbean Examination Council, CXC and passed them.“Every day I thank God for Pastor and JAMAL. JAMAL gave me the opportunity to travel not that I wouldn’t travel but it made me travel sooner.”
Mrs. Taylor is actively involved in art and craft and produces several craft items for sale. She is an active member of her community’s senior citizens club for which she actively participates in craft competitions. Her work as won her several trophies and awards inclusive of Outstanding Achievement Awards from the National Senior Citizens Council in culinary, art and craft as well as track and field.
JFLL, learners in the parish of Portland stands the chance to benefit from Mrs. Taylor’s knowledge in craft. She will be teaching the learners in Portland how to make craft items inclusive of bags, table mats, napkin holders as well as other craft items. Mrs. Taylor is doing this as her way of giving back to a programme that she believes has given her much.
Mrs. Taylor does not regret enrolling with the JAMAL program, as it has taught her a lot including the importance of education which she has imparted to her nine children. One of whom is now deceased. One of her daughters having gained her masters degree now tutors at the University of the West Indies while another is currently serving others as a nurse. Mrs. Taylor beams when talking about her children and tells us that she is so proud of all her children who are all now working.
Zurie Johnson [PR Intern, 2008]
