A Brighter Future for Literacy in SVG
The Jumpstart team recently had the pleasure of meeting with the Honourable Phillip Jackson, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, along with his team, including the Honourable Lavern King, Senator and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and the Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack.
During the meeting, the Jumpstart team shared updates on the impactful work carried out over the past year to improve literacy in ten schools across mainland St. Vincent. The discussion also focused on strategic plans to expand support and strengthen literacy outcomes in even more schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Together, through collaboration, commitment, and a shared vision, we are laying the foundation for a future where every child has the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills and reach their full potential.
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Standing with our Students in a Time of Need
The Mustique Charitable Trust was pleased to provide meaningful support to the students of the Questelles Government Primary School following a fire that occurred during the Christmas school break. The fire destroyed a significant portion of the school complex, including the kitchen that prepared daily meals for 120 vulnerable students. Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life were reported.
In response, the Mustique Charitable Trust acted swiftly to ensure continuity of care by funding daily meals for these students over a two-week period, while a temporary kitchen facility was secured and prepared. The Trust remains steadfast in its commitment to the well-being of our nation’s children and youth, particularly in times of crisis and recovery.
Photo credits: Agency for Public Information (API) & IWITNESS NEWS SVG
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SVG Retired Nurses Association Screening Programme
This funding has been awarded to the SVG Retired Nurses Association (SVGRNA) to assist in addressing and managing the widespread health challenges related to blood sugar and related conditions throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Monthly blood sugar screenings are done at four, high foot traffic venues in and around the capital Kingstown.
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Richmond Vale Academy (RVA) Youth Marine Conservation Programme
This grant in the form of a bursary funded the training of four young men from vulnerable fishing communities, in the preservation and restoration of coral reefs in SVG. During the 3-month programme which ran February-April 2025, the young men also completed and received their certifications in PADI Certification in Open Water Diving, Advanced Open Water Diving, Emergency First Responder and Fish Identification.
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2024-2025 Table Tennis Programme
The Vincy Table Tennis Federation’s grant continues to support this grassroot table tennis programme for the benefit of vulnerable children in the rural areas. The programme builds self-confidence and esteem of children while teaching the sport of table tennis. Approximately 75 students continue to consistently participate in the programme across the three (3) participating schools.
Top Prize Winners
The Salvation Army Children’s Home
Funding provided to the Salvation Army Children Home to aid the home in providing the best care possible for the displaced and vulnerable children. The home currently has 14 children of varying ages who were all assigned by the Welfare Department. This funding contributes to with providing groceries, transportation to and from school for the children and monthly stipends for caretakers/housemothers.
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UWI Bursary Awards 2025
Three (3) Bursaries awarded for 2025-2026 Academic Year at the UWI Global Campus, St Vincent & the Grenadines
The MCT continues to fund and support the education of young people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During 2024-25, three young Vincentians pursuing bachelor’s degree programmes with the UWI Open Campus were awarded bursaries to complete their respective 3-year programmes. While the bursary covers all UWI course fees, the recipients were each gifted with laptops to aid in their studies.
Another student was added to the bursary for the 2025-26 programme. Ms Lelicia Burnett was awarded the bursary to complete her Certificate in Early Childhood & Family Development at the UWI Open Campus. Congratulations to Ms. Burnette and all the best in her pursuit!
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School Meal Programme & Special Needs School Programme
The MCT continues to fund its Schools Meal Programme with an increased 2025-26 budget commitment. With the rising cost of food, the need to increase the fund was evident and worthwhile in providing health daily meals for each child. Currently the programme funds meals at nineteen (19) schools across the country; thirteen secondary schools, two primary schools and four (4) special needs schools for children. Over 400 meals are provided daily to children “most in need” across the participating schools.
The St. Benedict Day Nursery & Children’s Home, Helping Hands Centre, School for Children with Special Needs (Kingstown) and Sunshine School for Children with Special Needs (Bequia) also continues to receive funding based on their respective need ranging from groceries, toiletries, baby supplies, counselling, physiotherapy, music therapy, transportation, stipends and school fees.
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Hurricane Beryl
NEMO HBER Water Storage Tanks Project
Donated water storage tank with installation kits to 100 households in the Southern Grenadines. The water tanks were for varying sizes along with the necessary installation kits which included pipes, fittings, fixtures and tools were distributed to needy households on Union Island, Canouan and Mayreau.
GUMBOLIMBO/NEMO HBER (Hurricane Beryl Emergency Fund) Home Rehabilitation Project
Donated building materials including lumber, screws, nails and hurricane straps to assist in rebuilding over 100 homes in the Southern Grenadines. These materials were donated to the Gumbolimbo Team and the National Emergency Management Organisation; both entities were tasked with rebuilding the roofs of home on the devasted Union Island.
NEMO HBER Windows and Doors Replacement Project
This funding has been provided as a grant to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in direct response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 1st July 2025.
The funding was given for the procurement of windows and doors specifically to support the rebuilding efforts of homes on Union Island. A total of 268 windows of varying sizes along with 191 doors were purchased and delivered to the NEMO for distribution to households in need on Union Island. An approximate total of 52 households received windows and/or doors based on their repair needs.
MOHWE Medical Facilities Renovation Project
This fund was granted to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) for critical repairs and renovations of the medical facilities on Union Island. The UKFMCT & MCT collaborated on repairing and renovating the Celina Clouden Hospital and the Ashton Community Clinic on Union Island; both charities funded 50% of the total cost. The facilities required painting, retiling, new windows, doors, fixtures and fittings.
Other Support
Donated building materials to rebuilding the roof a private hotel (Bouganvilla Hotel) on Union Island which was being used as an emergency shelter for residents and relief workers on the island. We were also able to assist a single mother with building materials to rebuilding her home.
CWSA HBER Desalination Plants – Southern Grenadines
This grant from the UK Friends of MCT was granted to the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) as a part-sponsorship towards the purchase of two small-scale desalination units earmarked for the islands Union Island & Mayreau. The two units were purchased in conjunction the Caribbean Desalination Association (Caribda) as part of the CWSA’s efforts to address the water scarcity on the islands of Union Island and Mayreau. These units will pump and filter 6000 gallons of brackish water and 5000 gallons of seawater per day, respectively.
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Hurricane Beryl rebuilding Efforts
The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT), along with the UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust (UKFMCT), have reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to national recovery and resilience efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Beryl. Together, the Trusts have donated over EC$700,000 in critical supplies and infrastructure support to aid communities in the Southern Grenadines.
As part of its support to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the MCT recently visited Union Island and officially handed over the first 10 OF 100 water tanks, complete with all necessary pipes and fittings – valued at EC$200.000.
The tanks were presented to Dr. Idelia Ferdinand, Coordinator for Disaster Recovery at NEMO, to assist in restoring access to clean and safe water for affected households on Union Island, Mayreau and Canouan.
In addition to working with NEMO, the MCT also presented a second allocation of building materials in support of the ongoing home reconstruction efforts led by the Gumbolimbo/JagClif Charity teams. Project Lead Mr. John Davidson accepted the materials on behalf of the teams, who have played a pivotal role in recovery. To date, these volunteer teams have rebuilt more than 150 roofs on Canouan and Union Island, with MCT’s contribution—valued at just under EC$300,000, providing essential supplies including lumber, nails, screws, and hurricane clips.
This recent support follows earlier assistance from UKFMCT, which donated windows and doors to further aid in the rebuilding of homes across the islands.
Further demonstrating its long-term commitment to sustainable recovery, the UKFMCT has also funded the purchase of two desalination plants, for Union Island and Mayreau to aid with providing water to communities on the islands and ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply for years to come.
These plants will be handed over to the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and are scheduled for installation in the coming weeks.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, we understand the immense emotional and financial toll this disaster has taken on families and entire communities; therefore, our efforts are simply to meet the needs of those affected”, said Avanell Da Silva, Administrative Director of the Mustique Charitable Trusts.
The Mustique Charitable Trust and UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust, funded by the homeowners of Mustique Island and a network of generous donors, are always ready to respond to critical and essential needs that benefit the collective well-being of the nation.
The Mustique Charitable Trust and the UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust remain committed to working closely with local authorities, community groups, and relief organisations to address the evolving needs of affected communities with timely and impactful support.
Our Mission
The Mustique Charitable Trusts will improve the opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults while supporting the development of sustainable local communities throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There is a particular focus on education, healthcare, social services, and disaster relief and work collaboratively to bring relief and hope to those most in need.
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Help us support our Hurricane Beryl support programme