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February 2025

Why do we award scholarships?

Supporting teaching and learning, in Bequia and beyond

by Glen Herbert

The reason we award scholarships is because education is important. We know that it correlates to income, with higher levels of education generally leading to higher earnings over a lifetime. It also relates to lifetimes themselves—it has been shown that those with more education tend to live longer, healthier lives.

But there are other reasons, too. Kadeen Hazell once told me that “you do better when people believe you can do better.” Support in the form of scholarships was clear evidence of that. It demonstrated, to him and others, that he was capable and that he had a community behind him, rooting him on. Born and raised in Paget Farm, Kadeen is now a licensed pilot pursuing a degree in aeronautical engineering. As he tells it, he did better because people believed he could do better. Through scholarships, and other supports, they made good on that belief.

We know, too, that educated communities tend to be more engaged. Academic achievement increases the likelihood of individuals participating in community affairs, and it gives them the tools to take active roles. We see examples of this around us every day. You are one of them.

That’s the reasoning—opportunity, encouragement, community development—behind the scholarships that we offer each year. They remove barriers to all levels of education, ensuring students are able to attend schools, access programs, and remain in school.

This is what we do:

• At the elementary level, GI scholarships support students attending private schools on Bequia, including the Lower Bay School.
• At the secondary level, we improve access to programs on the mainland. Funds raised are used to provide travel vouchers and school supplies which are given to the recipients at the beginning of each semester.
• At the post-secondary level we offset the costs of tuition and, in some cases, the costs of daily living. This is paid directly to the academic institutions. While we’ve supported students to attend programs internationally, we’ve since rededicated ourselves to focussing on access to degree programs in the CARICOM region.

Applications are beginning to be accepted now, and we'll distribute them online and in person. Selection is conducted by a board of local educators and community leaders. Selection criteria include exam results, volunteerism, personal goals. Minimum grade attainment is required for recipients to remain a beneficiary of the scholarship program, and support is reviewed each year.

One of the challenges of offering scholarships is reaching applicants. And so we ask you to spread the word to those who you feel may benefit. You can direct them to me or to the online applications at the following links:

Feel free to reach out with any questions about the Grenadines Initiative scholarship program, including how to become involved, either by responding to this email or using the contacts below.

Sincerely,

Glen Herbert

Executive Director

Email: glen.herbert@grenadinesinitiative.org

Ph/WhatsApp: 289 439 7052