Re-Opening of North Union Secondary School Library
The Re-Opening Ceremony of the refurbished library of the North Union Secondary School took place on Tuesday 17th March 2020. The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) provided a Grant to assist with the library’s refurbishment, which included locally made wooden chairs, a Jolly Phonics Kit, standing fans, curtains, a clock and a wall mural.
The ceremony also included twelve students trained as Librarians proudly receiving badges and a poem done by one of the student librarians, the performance was very indicative of the very talented and innovative students that are at the school and it served as reassurance that access to the new library will only take these students to greater achievements.
During their remarks, Mr. Ramsamooj (Vice Principal-North Union Secondary School), Mrs. Enna Bullock (Hands across the Sea Literacy Link) and the Head of the Literacy Department at the school, all conveyed their gratitude for the contribution made by the MCT. It was especially requested that their gratitude by conveyed to the Trustees.
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Brighton Methodist School Library Refurbishment
Brighton Methodist School re-opened its refurbished library on Tuesday 4th February 2020. The UK Friends of Mustique Charitable Trust (UKF) approved a Grant to assist with the library furnishings, which included locally made wooden tables & chairs and a wall mural.
A dance and drumming was performed by a group of students and 12 trained Student Librarians proudly received their badges at the ceremony. During the viewing, the students were very excited to have access to the new library and we hope it will help them to achieve greater things.
Brighton Methodist School re-opens their fully refurbished library
Brighton Methodist School re-opens their fully refurbished library
Mrs. Bernadette Latchman (the Principal) and Ms. Yvette Pompey (Hands across the Seas Literacy Link) conveyed their gratitude to UKF and its Trustees for their contribution to making the library a success.
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Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra – 24th Annual Summer Training Programme
Participants learnt the history of steel pan, the art & skill of playing the pan and an introduction to reading and writing music. They also engaged in capacity building activities and educational and cultural trips where they visited sites such as La Soufriere Volcano, Geothermal Plant and Bequia.
37 children and teenagers ranging from 6 -15 years of age completed the programme and received their Certificate of Participation. The group was very eager to display what they had learnt during their training and performed three (3) songs at the Graduation Ceremony. The audience was pleasantly surprised by the level of their performance, which they acquired during just the six weeks in the summer.
It was apparent that the participants enjoyed the programme, which kept them engaged educationally and culturally during six weeks of their summer holidays.
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Literacy Workshops for Teachers
UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust collaborated with Ascoll Institute of Learning to offer Literacy Workshops to 130 teachers in St. Vincent & the Grenadines during Summer 2019. Four 3-days workshops were held in the following zones: North Leeward, South Leeward, North Windward and South Windward.
The workshops introduced teachers to the Interactive model, Phonics Based Approach to reading, synthetic approach, segmentation, syllabication, word rules, exceptions to the rules, phonetic symbols, letter sounds and their variations, conducting the informal reading inventory diagnostic test and reading intervention plan to the teaching of reading.
The intent was to bring about meaningful change with respect to teachers’ pedagogical skills in reading so they can meaningfully improve their students’ ability to read.
The teachers were impressed by the content of the workshop and were eager to return to school to impart the skills and techniques learnt at the workshops to their students.
With 130 participating teachers and an average of 35 students per teacher, means at least 4,500 students will benefit from the training provided by these workshops.
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UWI Bursary Awards 2019
Mustique Charitable Trust awards Four Bursaries at the University of West Indies Open Campus for 2019–2020 Academic Year
The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) initiated its Bursary Award Programme at the University of the West Indies Open Campus (St. Vincent) back in 2010. The MCT Bursary provides each recipient with 60% of their academic fees along with a laptop.
The following four well deserving students were announced as the MCT Bursary Recipients for the 2019-2020 Academic Year:
- Natalia Gill – Bachelor of Science: Management Studies-Tourism & Hospitality
- Araya Horne – Bachelor of Science: International Management
- Zaphia Joseph – Bachelor of Science: Management Studies-Tourism & Hospitality
- Ashené Peters – Bachelor of Science: Social Work
The Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday 9th November, 2019. Deborah Dalrymple and Camille Lakhram of UWI Open Campus thanked The Mustique Charitable Trust for their significant contribution towards the academic endeavours of the selected students. Dularie Malcolm of The Mustique Charitable Trust thanked Mrs. Dalrymple, Mrs. Lakhram and UWI Open Campus for their support and dedication to the programme. She also reinforced to the bursary recipients to utilise the support program at UWI Open Campus when they face challenges.
Ikarmola LaBorde, former UWI Open Campus Graduate, Valedictorian and current Entrepreneur, was the featured speaker whose speech was very relevant and relatable to the recipients as she focused on time management and overcoming challenges. Since 2010, MCT has awarded 3-4 Bursaries each year with 17 MCT Bursary recipients having graduated thus far and receiving seven First Class Degrees, three Upper Second Degrees, six Lower Second Degrees and one Certificate. In addition, there are currently 14 MCT Bursary recipients pursuing studies at UWI Open Campus (St. Vincent).
Mustique Charitable Trust awards Four Bursaries at the UWI Open Campus – Read the article on News 784
Mustique Charitable Trust awards Four Bursaries at the UWI Open Campus Students – Read the article on ANN
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Craft Fair – 2019
Since 2016, UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust has been funding the Mustique Craft Fairs which takes place at Easter and summertime. The Craft Fairs afford the local street vendors, artisans and entrepreneurs of St. Vincent & the Grenadines the opportunity to display their crafts and goods to Homeowners, Guests and locals on Mustique.
Like all other years, 2019 Calendar included the Easter and Summer Craft Fairs. However, the Summer 2019 Craft Fair drew the crowd and for good reasons. Cotton House was gracious enough to accommodate the Summer Craft Fair which took place for the first time on the lawn in front its Beach Bar. The numerous white tents arranged on the crisp green lawn drew much attention. Vendors arrived early to set up their displays and by mid-morning, the Craft Fair was in full swing.
The Summer Craft Fair hosted 41 vendors, artisans and entrepreneurs who offered a wide range of goods including handmade soaps & body creams, local fruit wines, air-dried fruits & vegetables, leather slippers & sandals, recycled jewellery, vetiver grass products, bamboo products and much more.
A few young artistes performed at a mini concert held at mid-afternoon, which provided entertainment for shoppers as they peruse the goods offered at the Craft Fair.
The Craft Fair was abuzz with shoppers, many of whom gave positive feedback regarding the new location and layout on the Cotton House lawn. Vendors were also pleased with the new layout and location and most indicated that they received good patronage from the shoppers.
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Richmond Vale Academy – Environmental Education 2019 Summer Camp
For the fourth year, UK Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust funded an Environmental, Climate Change & Biodiversity Education Summer Camp, which took place over a two-week period with camp members arriving at the Richmond Vale Academy on Sunday 21st July, 2019 and departing on Sunday 3rd August, 2019.
Theoretical and practical training on creating a sustainable backyard garden was added to the programme this year. The teenagers were educated on growing their own healthy organic foods and maintaining healthy diets. They visited various environments in St. Vincent and educated on the importance of protecting and conserving these environments.
Graduation Ceremony took place on Saturday 3rd August, 2019 and diplomas for completed studies and planting action were presented to the fourteen (14) participants. Several of the participants expressed that it was a very interesting and learning experience and some participants even wanted to stay longer.
Environmental Summer Program with MCT for Youths!
Richmond Vale Academy
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Biabou Methodist School Library – Re-Opening Ceremony
The Re-opening Ceremony of the refurbished library of the Biabou Methodist School took place on Thursday 31st January, 2019. The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) was one of the donors who assisted with the library refurbishment. MCT’s donation was used to obtain chairs, bookshelves, paint, rug, fans and resource materials.
Remarks were made by Mrs. Rouna Burke (Principal), Mrs. Pompey (Hands across the Seas Link) and Mrs. Michael (Ministry of Education Representative) who all thanked MCT for their assistance in making the refurbished library a reality. Lavinia Gunn (former Administration Director of MCT) who spearheaded this project along with Mrs. Burke, was specially invited to attend the ceremony and gave heartfelt remarks. It was apparent this was a collaboration from the heart for all involved, the school, MCT, Hands Across the Seas, Staff, Church, Community Members and PeaceCorp employee.
Nine student Librarians were previously trained and proudly received their certificates at the ceremony. The ceremony also showcased a poem by Grade 5 students and an entertaining monologue skit performed by Faith Charles. Her performance was so outstanding that the audience demanded an encore performance which she obliged without missing a beat.
The refurbished library now displayed a very child friendly theme and inviting atmosphere. The eager faces of the students and staff was a reflection of the anxious anticipation and was also apparent by the students who pleaded with Mrs. Burke to start using the Library at the opening.
Although some of these children may never leave the shores of their homeland, the newly refurbished and fully stocked library will give them an opportunity to travel the entire world through books and reading.
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Evesham Methodist School Library – Re-Opening Ceremony
The Re-Opening Ceremony of the refurbished library of the Evesham Methodist School took place on Friday 18th January, 2019.
The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) was one of the organizations who donated towards the library’s refurbishment. The funds donated by MCT were used to obtain a Jolly Phonics kit, a white board, word games, fans and a wall mural.
Remarks were made by Miss Damaris Martin (Principal), Mrs. Enna Bullock (Hands across the Seas Link), Mrs. Cheryl Bacchus (Literacy Coordinator) and Mrs. Hannah Browne (Senior Education Officer), all of whom were very grateful for the contribution made by MCT. It was especially requested that their gratitude be conveyed to the Trustees.
The ceremony also included six students trained as Librarians proudly receiving their badges, a skit done by five students regarding “Library Rules” and a poem done by students from Grade K to Grade 6 called “I like to read all kinds of books”.
The performances were very entertaining and indicative of the very talented and innovative students of the school and were reassuring that access to the new library will only take these students to greater achievements.
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Help us support our Literacy Programme
Junior Sailing Academy, Bequia (JSAB) – Sailing Event
On Saturday 12th January, 2019, The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) was invited by Junior Sailing Academy Bequia (JSAB) to view their young sailors in action as they chartered a course around the Admiralty Bay in Port Elizabeth with their dinghies which included seven second hand Laser Pico dinghies donated by MCT. The event was scheduled for 10:30am but as we arrived a little after 9:00am, already there was a group of youngsters eagerly awaiting.
The committee members present were Chair and Catalyst Rose Kaye, Secretary & Treasurer Chris Kaye, Training Manager John Nicholson and Senior Coach Zeandre Browne.
Most of them being retired British citizens who had homes in Bequia and were all passionate about providing an alternative activity for kids.
The passion for sailing was apparent on the kids’ faces as they listened attentively at the earlier briefing but was even more so apparent when they were manning their dinghies on the water.
JSAB must be commended for their initiative that not only provides an activity for the kids but also hopefully provides an avenue for employability in the sailing industry.
The event began with a safety briefing and a detailed explanation of the route for each type of dinghy. The kids then went about rigging their respective dinghies. There was a true display of discipline, responsibility and teamwork by the kids which was admirable. Once the safety checks were done, the young sailors launch their dinghies and were off.
While looking on from the shore, John the Training Manager, explained that JSAB future plans included remedial classes in Maths and English for their members which was necessary to increase their chance of success in their Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certification examinations. With two members already certified at 2nd level (Day Skipper), John was hopeful to have another five of their members attempt these examinations. The 2nd level Day Skipper certification allows members to be employable.
