Aspiring lawyer fears lack of money may block dream

At 19, Shadae Riley has already earned the opportunity she prayed for.

After seven years at The Hampton School, eight CSEC subjects, including seven grade ones, and CAPE Unit One results of three grade twos and one grade one, the Manchester teen received her acceptance letter in May to study law at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. For Riley and her mother, it was supposed to be a moment of pure joy.

“I was thrilled to know I got accepted to the Faculty of Law and my mom was excited as well,” Riley told THE WEEKEND STAR. But the excitement has since been followed by weeks of uncertainty. The semester is expected to begin in August, and although Riley has applied for scholarships, she has not received any responses. With tuition, boarding and other school-related costs ahead of her, she is fearful that the opportunity she worked so hard for could slip away before she even enters the classroom.

According to Riley, tuition for one academic year is US$10,000 (approximately J$1.56 million), while boarding is estimated at between J$300,000 and less than J$400,000 per year. Her Unit Two CAPE results are also expected in August, the same month she hopes to begin university. The pressure has been made heavier by the situation at home. Riley’s father died from COVID-19 in October 2022. Since then, her mother, who works as a cook, has been the family’s main source of support. But she recently lost her job, leaving the family shaken at the very time she needs financial help the most.

Her mother has seven children, of which Riley is the second youngest. Things have often been rough financially. There were times during high school when even getting to school came with difficulty. Riley recalled days when her mother could not afford to send her to school and church members had to step in. Still, she kept going. 

"I have my mom who is always there for me, friends and teachers and staff members from school who always encourage me, and I am happy to have that,” Riley said.

She initially planned to become a doctor, choosing mostly science-based subjects at CSEC. But in sixth form, her interest began to shift. 

“I realised that I am an advocate and I like to stand up for others. I don’t like injustice,” Riley said. “That’s one of the reasons I changed my decision about becoming a doctor.”

“There were times when I have seen other individuals experience injustice and I wasn’t able to stand up for them or to be a voice for them,” Riley said. “I want to have the opportunity to do that.”

She recalled watching a neighbour endure an abusive relationship and feeling powerless as the woman suffered in silence.

“She was very scared and fearful. She didn’t report it or anything,” Riley said. “I could see at the time she had no one to support her, to stand up for her, to be that advocate and the voice she didn’t have at the time.”

“She almost died. It was so hard to witness that as a child,” Riley added. The woman eventually moved away.

When the acceptance letter to The UWI arrived in May, it was a moment Riley had doubted would come.

“When I got the letter, I was super excited,” she said, but admitted that even before applying, she had been worrying about the cost.

“I think this is the hardest part of my journey because there were times when I felt discouraged, especially when I was applying for law school,” Riley said. 

Riley also shared that she did not attend her graduation service, which was held on Sunday. While she has managed to celebrate some milestones quietly, the uncertainty surrounding university has made this period difficult. Now, with August approaching, she is hoping for assistance from anyone who is able to help. For her, the request is not simply about money. It is about not losing a place she has already earned.

“I would be really out of it if I miss this chance,” Riley said. “This is something I am really passionate about, and it is not just about having a career. I think this is really my calling.” She opined that her situation is not unique.

“I know there are many young girls and boys out there that would like to pursue their tertiary education, but they are unable to because of their financial situation,” Riley said. Even as she seeks assistance, she urged other aspiring students to have faith.

“You might never know, God might just open a door for you. Don’t give up on your dreams. Work hard. Study hard.”

Persons wishing to assist Shadae Riley achieve her dream, may donate to NCB account  884373670, Junction branch, in the name Shadae Riley.