Her honesty in the face of personally trying circumstances is proving to be a winning formula for Ackaisha Green, who recently handed over millions of dollars that she stumbled upon at an automated teller machine (ATM) in downtown Kingston.

Following on other corporate and personal donations to her, J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Limited on Tuesday rewarded Green's honesty with a donation of $1.2 million.

Of the amount, $1 million is earmarked for the education of Green and her two sons, eight-year-old Jevanie and two-year-old Joshua, while $100,000 was provided in vouchers to purchase food. The remaining $100,000 has been set aside for an entrepreneurial venture and a refrigerator, which Green said is badly needed in her household.

Additionally, JWN made representation on behalf of Green to fellow corporate Nestle, who will partner the initiative by providing one year's supply of milk products to Green's two sons.

Green became famous for returning a large bag with $5,000 and $1,000 notes which she found at the ATM. This she did despite her dire personal circumstances, as she is without a job or any source of income, has two children and is burdened with many expenses, particularly relating to her children’s schooling.

Green was greeted with the good news and a presentation at the corporate offices of JWN on Tuesday by Managing Director, Jean-Philippe Beyer and Tanikie McClarthy Allen, Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability.

“We are making this presentation to you because of your show of honesty,” said Beyer. “As a company, J. Wray & Nephew places a great deal of value on integrity, and what you did is a very good example for this country.”

Watch the video for highlights of the presentation.

The managing director engaged Green in a discussion on her good deed and the feedback it has generated while playing with her son, Joshua, who had accompanied her to the office, which she was visiting for the second time.

McClarthy Allen reminded of the previous visit only days earlier, when the company had reached out to reward Green for her honesty and to assist with her plight.

“We spoke with you, we listened to your concerns and now we’ve acted,” said McClarthy Allen. “We will not be leaving you on your own, we will be following up to see how you and the boys are progressing, and with your education as well.”

Managing Director Jean-Philippe Beyer engages Green's two-year-old son, Joshua. (Photo: Leo Hudson)

Green expressed great surprise and thanked JWN for its kindness, noting that she is ready to make the best on this second chance at education for herself, as well as for her juvenile duo.

“Honestly, I just want to tell J. Wray & Nephew Limited thanks overall. Words cannot express how I really feel. I just want to let each and everyone who has reached out to me so far, to tell each and everyone thanks. Words cannot really express… it’s like I’m speechless,” Green reacted.

Since finding the money, Green received assistance from several other entities, including Digicel and the Heart Trust/NTA, and for this she also expressed gratitude.

“I wasn’t expecting anything because the money wasn’t mine, so to get all of this, many thanks, not only you guys, but to everybody who has reached out; J. Wray & Nephew, Digicel, Heart Trust and the rest of people and the pastor at cathedral; I just want to say thanks. This will benefit a far way, going back to school and seeing that I have several debts with the kids going to school.

J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) Limited’s Managing Director, Jean-Philippe Beyer (second left) and Tanikie McClarthy Allen (left), Director, Public Affairs and Sustainability, make a presentation of $1.2m for honesty to Ackaisha Green (second right), while she holds her son Joshua. (Photo: Leo Hudson).

“I would just like to say honesty pays off,” said Green.

With specific reference to her education, she remarked: “It’s more important than before because when you’re young you’re not really thinking … I wasn’t thinking about education too tough, but now I’ve got another chance to do it, I won’t waste it.

“This is a pathway for me for uplifting myself now. Growing up I didn’t have it easy, I had to fend for my own. Jamaican people might understand that, so fending for your own at a young age wasn’t like love, love. Then I got pregnant young, so my time that I should (have) put in school I had to put it in a baby. So eventually now I get time to do it all over again, I will because I do need education and honestly, from I am educated they (the children) have to be educated,” reinforced Green.

“It’s for you to ensure that when they have challenges you’re there to uplift them, because my big son doesn’t have challenges, but I’m always there to uplift him,” she added.