Anonymous donor gives $650,000 towards med student’s tuition - ... but Perisa still needs $200,000 to sit exams

An anonymous donor has given $650,000 to a first-year medical student who is facing the possibility of being barred from sitting exams at The University of the West Indies (UWI) this year if her fees are not paid.

Perisa Miller, 21, who achieved a 3.75 GPA in her first semester, is faced with the possibility of having her studies disrupted if she is unable to come up with $930,000 by this weekend. Her burden, however, has been significantly lifted as Jamaicans at home and oversees have been donating to ensure that she achieves her dreams of becoming a medical doctor.

"It's a miracle," said Miller. "Knowing that one person paid so much money -- I was actually shocked when mommy told me and in actual disbelief, because I couldn't believe that one man send so much money. Is like God send him, honestly. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to continue fulfilling my dreams of becoming a doctor," the former Meadowbrook High School student said.

Miller's tuition for the year is US$28,000 (approximately $4.2 million). She received a student loan of $1 million and has to make a payment plan with The UWI for the remainder. Her mother, Michelle Cameron, held fundraisers and tapped several sources and was only able to come up with $215,000. But they still required more than $700,000. If the money is not paid by Saturday, Miller will not be able to sit her final examinations or move on to the second year.

As of yesterday, Miller needed $220,000 more. She said that she could not have been this close had it not been for the donors.

"I'm happy, I'm grateful because, honestly, we really didn't know if I was going to be able to sit the exams, but the donations have been coming in and I just feel good," she said.

"This means so much to me, because I'm able to now further my education and fulfil my goals. So I'm very much so appreciative of all the donations I have received. It's a blessing, because even in the short time I have received a lot of donations ... it's just really a blessing."

Cameron, while praying for a miracle, has been seeking help to ensure that her daughter gets her degree. The mother and child told their story in THE WEEKEND STAR, which was published on April 8, and asked Jamaicans to help. Yesterday, they told THE STAR that the response has been overwhelming.

"Mi just a say thank you to the person dem that reach out. Mi bawl tears of joy. Mi never know people out there can reach out to people suh, me nah tell no lie. Mi really appreciate it, all mi daughter, she nuh stop talk 'bout it," said Cameron.

"Me give God thanks, 'cause when me look pon $930,000 weh me did affi guh find and me nuh have it. When di people dem reach out to me bwoy, a suh me know seh Jamaican people are very good, me nah tell no lie. Who nuh give me nothing just gimme good words of encouragement."

Persons wishing to assist Perisa Miller may contact her mother, Michelle Cameron, at 876-390-1923.