Back to school, supporting community health

Newsletter for September 2022

Learning Center Scholarships Announced

By Glen Herbert

This year, we're delighted to be able to offer more academic financial support than ever before. At the elementary level, the scholarships and bursaries offset the cost of tuition at schools where it is required, as well as the cost of incidentals, such as books and uniforms. Scholarships have been offered to students attending private and public schools on Bequia:

Roshanne Ollivierre

Saeed Durrant

Bryce Ollivierre

Joshua Jai Jack

Kaiesha Bess

Carlroy Quashie

Jeziah Ollivierre

Kaylani Stowe

Nadal Peniston

Marquise Mercury

Dimarion Williams

Hadassa Ollivierre

Stephen John

At the secondary level, the scholarships offset the costs associated with attending school, including books and uniforms, and covers the ferry fees necessary to travel to schools on the mainland. Scholarships have been offered to:

Liliann Ollivierre

Mathayus Miller

Adonai Ollivierre

Jonathan Maloney

Aaliyah Hepburn

Ashton Ollivierre

Jenea Williams

Leonell Miguel

Arianna King

Kelvan Harris

Jomain Ollivierre

Adellaw Antares Nero

Keswayne May

Tayshon Ollivierre

Abel Hamilton

Pehtal Rebeka Lavia

Ocean Exeter

Rayne Duncan

Tadia Derrick

Santiago Eresto Batista Roman

Asia Sargeant

Drake Gooding

Chloe Hackshaw

Jeanna Smart

Naleah Bernard

Arsenia Hector

Khade Gooding

Mikayla Myers

This year we've also been able to offer support to students attending post secondary programs in SVG and beyond, including offsetting the cost of tuition and the ferry fees required to attend college on the mainland. Scholarships have been offered to:

Felicia Hutchins, Pharmacy, The University of the West Indies BSc

Brennah-Lee Dublin, CAPE, SVG Community College

Alika Miller, Education, SVG Community College

Kaymarie Daniel, Fashion, Miami Dade College, USA

Tya Joyes, Business, SVG Community College

Saywa Phillips, Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Cuba

Keonna Simon, MIT, USA

PPE distributed in Bequia and beyond

While it has always been true that our personal health is tied directly to the health of our families, our neighbours, and our communities, COVID really underscored that fact: we take care of ourselves by taking care of one another.

Many of the effects of the pandemic are now thankfully receding into memory, though that community approach to care should remain. To that end, and thanks to the Friends of the Grenadines Initiative, over the past month or so we've been able to distribute N95 masks to health care centres, workers, and staff on Bequia, Union Island, and Mayreau. In addition to masks, we were also able to deliver toothbrushes and toothpaste to the dental clinic in Paget Farm.

Above, left to right: Linda Sagan Harrier, Dr. Lugo, Sister Zara Bess, Carmette Gooding. Linda and Carmette are shown delivering 1400 3M N95 masks to Dr. Lugo and the hospital on Bequia.

Pictured at left, Megan Glynn, dental assistant at the Paget Farm Dental Clinic. At right, Megan with Linda Sagan Harrier.

Wrapping up a fantastic summer at the HUB

Creativity was in the air on Friday, August 26th at De Reef! To conclude the Creative Recovery Summer Camp, the HUB hosted a Youth Show with rich performances by the 2022 campers. The show presented an opportunity for the youth to display what they learned, the confidence they built, and their artistic development through a series of performance pieces.

The show was the culmination of the camps which ran for three weeks. During that time, campers engaged in fine and performance arts and wellness programs. The HUB camps are a clear expression of what we feel the Grenadines Initiative is all about: supporting education, health, and community. We're delighted to have able to offer financial support, allowing the programs to be delivered free of charge to the participants and their families. Hoping we don't have to wait until next summer to do it again ... and, indeed, we may not have to. Watch this space for more.

To watch a video the full show, click here.

The Hub had paused the weekly painting classes to make room for the Creative Recovery Summer Camp, though they are started back up on Tuesday September 13th. Classes run on Tuesdays each week:

Childrens classes: 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Adult classes: 4:30 - 6:00 PM

There is a fee for participation, though no one is turned away if they’re unable to pay. Should you wish to support this program, you can give via Canada Helps by clicking here. Note at the time of your donation that you are giving in support of the Hub education programs.