Elizabeth Branan, an admired literature teacher at Lamar County High School, and her husband John have turned their compassion into action with their new mission, Academic Motivational Performance (AMP). Residing in Culloden, the Branans were both raised on the mission field. Now they have committed to supporting students and teachers in Jamaica, a mission born from a profound experience during a trip in 2017.
The Birth of their Jamaican Journey
In 2017, Elizabeth, accompanied by two of her children, joined a group mission trip to Jamaica. They spent a week traveling to various areas, providing help and assistance to families in need. Elizabeth’s journey began with a heartfelt prayer. “I asked God to show me a need. He did!” Elizabeth’s eyes were opened to the significant challenges faced by Jamaican students and their families, particularly the high costs of school supplies, uniforms, exam fees, and transportation.
“During that visit, I saw the desperate need for many families and specifically school children,” Elizabeth recalled. “When I got back home, I told my husband, John, that I wanted to do more to help.”
Building the Foundation
Elizabeth and John returned to Jamaica in 2018 and 2019, bringing school supplies to children in Kingston. It was during their 2018 trip that they met Mr. Royton McLaren, a school counselor, which sparked serious discussions about creating a sustainable, long-term support system for students and schools.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Branans continued their mission by sending barrels filled with school supplies and financial assistance to students and their families. In 2022, they resumed their visits and began sponsoring 30 high school students, covering their exam fees to ensure no student would be unable to graduate due to financial constraints.
AMP Official Launch
AMP was officially launched during a recent trip in June 2024, and the Branans are in the process of establishing it as an official non-profit organization in Jamaica. This status will help reduce costs when shipping supplies to Jamaica. The organization continues to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to students graduating from sixth grade and sponsorships for high school students’ exam fees.
John and Elizabeth are thankful for those who have donated to make their work possible. They specifically highlighted donations made by the Lamar County High School soccer program. Elizabeth recalled seeing children kicking a makeshift soccer ball during a previous trip, a plastic water bottle full of rocks. “We were able to ship real soccer balls, and now they have proper equipment!” said Elizabeth. Thanks to donations from Lamar County coaches, Ed and Rijkaard Jules, they also provided Lamar County soccer jerseys to a local Jamaican school. “The coach in Jamaica was so grateful,” Elizabeth added. The coach responded, “Now we have home and away jerseys!”
“It’s amazing to see the joy on students’ and parents’ faces when they receive these gifts,” Elizabeth shared. “We are grateful to the many supporters of our ministry and look forward to seeing where God takes this mission.”
“A Hope and a Future”
According to Elizabeth, sponsoring one high school student costs about $100, which covers the fees for final exams and standardized tests required for graduation, equivalent to the GA Milestones. Many families in Kingston struggle to afford these costs, and the inability to pay can prevent students from finishing high school. With Kingston’s prevalent gang culture offering an “easy” way to make a living, the Branans hope to provide an alternative path. The scholarships through AMP help students graduate and pursue careers in the police force, higher education, or other programs, steering them away from gangs and towards a brighter future. “Many are without hope, and our desire is to bring them hope through practical help of meeting physical needs, and through meeting their spiritual needs through Jesus!”
The Branans hope to expand their impact by attracting more sponsors to increase the number of students they can assist. Their dedication and faith drive their ongoing efforts to make a difference in the lives of Jamaican students.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
