Godfrey Bernard

Motivated to succeed despite the odds, Godfrey Bernard, is a clear  testimony of the fact that it matters not where in life the journey begins, but it’s the determination that counts in arriving at one’s goal.

At age 26 , young Bernard is an Engineer employed to Digicel as a Switcher having graduated from the University of the West Indies with a First Class Honours Degree in Electronics and Computer Studies.

However, it was not an easy road for Godfrey who grew up in a children’s home and experienced many trials which could have left him distraught. Instead, he says, the situation taught him to be disciplined and focused.

He notes that it was first at the children’s home that he learnt discipline which built his character and he describes his early challenges as experiences which served to make him mentally tough.

Godfrey, at an early age, knew that if he was to achieve the best, he would have to use the brain that he was blessed with to save himself from a life which could have turned out otherwise.   With a goal in mind, he set out to prove to those who expected little of him that he could turn out to be a success. 

His high school years were spent at the Norman Manley High School and Dunoon Park Technical High.  He left Dunoon Technical with seven C.X.C. subjects and then went to Excelsior to pursue mathematics, Geography and Physics at A’Level, in addition to General paper.

Godfrey’s foremost goal at the University of the West Indies was to graduate with high honours and he subsequently worked out a comprehensive study schedule to achieve this feat.  While others lymed, he spent many sleepless nights in the Physics lab.  “Even when the work seemed hard, I pushed myself. I knew what was possible.  I did what was required.”

Not only did Godfrey realise the importance of hard work but he was enterprising too.  While at Excelsior and UWI, he took on jobs so that he could supplement the funds  obtained from student loans.

Although having had his share of trials, this has not altered his outlook on life as he has managed to maintain an altruistic spirit.  Driven by this commitment, he volunteers his services as a counsellor at the young Men’s Christian Association in the summer.  Godfrey is also involved in the Kiwanis Club whose motto is “Children are the World.”

For young Bernard the sky is the limit. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Electronics at the University of the West Indies and hopes to eventually travel overseas to pursue further studies.

Although ranked among the cream of the crop who have passed through the University of the West Indies, Godfrey has not lost his humble touch. In reflecting on his accomplishments, his advice to young people is: “With the right mindset, it can be achieved.  By putting God first, it is possible to make a good life.” (June 2005)