A golfer and educator urged graduates of the Care Learning Centre to adapt to “broken nails” in their lives.

Quinton Sherlock Jr, GED instructor at Care and director of the centre’s Ghana branch, explained that nails hold people’s futures together — while resilience and courage act as hammers.

He told the eight graduates: “Not every tool will work the first time, not every plan will unfold perfectly.

“There will indeed be times when the nail breaks. But you don’t stop believing, you simply adjust, you find a new nail, a new way — you’ve already done that in arriving at this place today.”

Mr Sherlock said Care has served as a “safety net” for countless young people since it formed in 1983.

He explained: “With all that we’re facing, and all that might not be working in our community, here is a shining and bright example of what is working.”

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, attended the ceremony at the Leopard’s Club, which honoured the centre’s former programme director Kirk Butterfield, along with instructor Beverly Tavares, both of whom died in 2023.

Mr Butterfield’s mother, Neletha Butterfield, a former government minister and the founder of the centre, said: “We were really struggling to understand how we could lose two of Care’s workers — it was a very hard year for us.”

She added: “Our students really struggled, I cry almost every day because [my son’s death] still hurts. But even today, I know his memory will go on.”

Khari Simmons, the class valedictorian, highlighted how students earned their GEDs while balancing “jobs, families, drama and so much more in our personal lives.”

She told graduates: “Be proud of yourself and enjoy this moment.

“We’ve earned this, and this is just the beginning.”

A message from each of them was read out as they received their diplomas.

Part of A’mali Brangman’s message said: “I felt I learnt more at Care Learning Centre than throughout my middle and high school years.

“Care gave me an environment to believe that I can do it. Being here today proves it.”

A section from Nar-Jae Gardner’s message read: “This school journey was more than just grades. It was about my growth and finding my own way to learn.

“I would like to thank Dr Butterfield for getting me into the programme in the first place.

“Without her, I would not have been able to complete this and receive this diploma.”

K’wondé Lathan, who succeeded his father, Mr Butterfield, as programme director, discussed some upcoming changes at the centre.

He explained: “We only have eight hours with these students, three days during the week. What we’re looking to do, come September, is open five days.

“With that, we wanted to incorporate some apprenticeships and trades.”