On Thursday, Lavinia Gunn, administration director of the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT), cut ribbons to officially signal the opening of refurbished libraries and literacy centres at Colonarie and Park Hill Government schools.
The funds provided by the trust transformed two rooms that were in need of updating into areas where teachers can work along with students to enhance their reading, writing and listening skills in environments that encourage learning.
At the official opening of the Literacy Centre in Colonaire, Head Teacher Wayne DaBriel thanked the trust for its generous donation to the school, stating that the creation of the centre will make a worthwhile difference in the lives of the present batch of students, as well as for those to come.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to Gunn and Christabel Ashton, the local representative for Hands Across the Sea, which donated books.
Ave-Ann Legair, a member of the school’s Parent Teachers Association, provided tiles for the floor.
At Park Hill, teachers and students were just as excited as at the previous school, with the opening of their brand new library space. Elizabeth Johnson, head teacher at the school, expressed similar sentiments as she too praised the trust for its exceptional work in St Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly in the area of education.
She recounted that the school’s library was in a poor condition but with the assistance of the Mustique Charitable Trust and Hands Across The Sea, as well as technical guidance from Peace Corp volunteer “Teacher Rae” the school now has a facility that all can be proud of.
MCT said it is pleased to support the efforts of the Ministry of Education, the schools and their teachers to raise the levels of literacy in primary schools in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Five other primary schools have previously received support from MCT. Considerable improvements to literacy skills have been recorded by these schools.
It is anticipated that Colonarie and Park Hill Government schools will be reporting that students have similar successes. The Trust thanks all who collaborated on these projects.
The MCT was established in 2008 with the mission to improve the opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults while supporting the development of sustainable local communities throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The trust aims to listen, suggest, oversee and manage the charitable giving of the Island of Mustique.