MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Unlike most of his peers Jayhan Freeman started school at grade three due to his constant struggle with sickle cell disease.

Last Thursday, 11-year-old Jayhan’s determination was evident as he marched with confidence during Villa Road Primary’s school-leaving ceremony as one of 44 graduands.

“I was in the hospital on and off. I would be [discharged] today and the next [day] I would be back in there,” he told the Jamaica Observer moments before the ceremony at Mandeville Baptist Church.