The Government of Grenada hosted the Education Care Package Distribution Ceremony on Wednesday, 18 September at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium under the theme “Investing in Our Future.”
The sponsors collaborating on this venture with the Government of Grenada were Laluna Boutique Hotel and Villas, Sandals Grenada, and Republic Bank CPL T20 Cricket, who is also extending internship opportunities with CPL T20 Cricket to some students. The initiative is a post-Hurricane Beryl education sector response to support students from Carriacou and Petite Martinique who have had to relocate to Grenada to begin or continue studies.
Eighty students from Carriacou and Petite Martinique will receive the Education Care Packages. The initial care packages distributed are worth more than $222,000. More than $1.5 million will be disbursed over the next 10 months for this school year 2024/2025. This will assist in the uninterrupted flow of the students’ educational journey at the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) and the New Life Organisation (NEWLO).
The Education Care Packages cover $2,000 for accommodation, meals and transportation; $500 for uniforms, and $1,200 for textbooks for the first month’s installment. Additionally, each student will receive a laptop. From the second month, students will only receive the $2,000 monthly payment to cover living expenses, given that uniforms and textbooks are covered in the initial payment.
Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government Hon. Tevin Andrews and Education Minister Senator the Hon. David Andrew thanked the sponsors for their generosity and thoughtfulness.
Calling other members of the private sector to support the initiative, Hon. Tevin Andrews said, “It is partnerships like these we need in times like these, so that we can sow seeds for the future of our country.”
Speaking to the students, Prime Minister Mitchell said, “Life is funny. Sometimes, as your MP said, in the darkness, in the tough times, in the difficult times, you actually come out better, stronger, bigger and more confident because of the adversity or the challenge that you faced and that allows you to be more confident, more successful, knowing that the next time a Beryl-like adversity faces you, you will overcome it as well.”
Sharing words of reflection, TAMCC teacher trainee Niola Patrice, said “We are grateful for this assistance. Our education is a part of this recovery journey. We are going to be better citizens, and I want to leave this with all the students here today: new journey, new opportunities.”
The event also included presentations by students and a spoken word piece by Youth Coordinator
Carlene Perryman. Other officials present at the ceremony were the newly installed Principal of TAMCC, Andrew Abraham; representative from NEWLO Dale Neptune; and representatives of the sponsor organisations, who were presented with tokens of appreciation by the Prime Minister.
Ministry of Education
