Governor’s Office funds major youth projects
The Governor’s Office, with support through UK funding, has earmarked a total of $30,000 for three impactful youth empowerment projects in the territory.
These projects involve persons aged 13 to 21 years. The grants aim to contribute to the delivery of the BVI Sustainable Development Plan goal: Islanders are empowered for a Sustainable Future in an Inclusive Vibrant Society, Living Fulfilling Lives.
Governor John Rankin expressed pleasure while announcing the funding and praised the quality of applications. “I know these projects will benefit the lives of young people in the BVI. I am grateful for the very high calibre of applications we received and thank everyone involved.”
The Governor’s Office said bids were invited earlier this year and a commendable response was received, with 12 applications from established non-profit organisations in the territory. After an assessment by a committee from the Governor’s Office and the BVI government, the grants were awarded to three deserving projects.
Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE) was the first recipient and plans are being made to conduct a series of intensive mental health workshops for young men by that group. Its workshops will focus on various areas, including building better self-awareness, conflict resolution skills, decision-making, mindfulness, expressive therapy, outdoor activities, group support, coping skills, and self-care. The project aims to instil positive approaches to mental health, fostering a healthier mindset among the youth.
The Road Town Boys and Girls Brigade, another grant recipient, said it will utilise the funding to revitalise its programmes. This includes replacing parade flags, drilling equipment, marching drums, and uniforms as well as enhancing its online presence. The organisation, known for its international and interdenominational outreach, aims to empower youth through various activities such as camping, travel, first-aid certification, and IT training.
The third grant was awarded to H Lavity Stoutt Community College, which will organise film development workshops. The HLSCC said its workshops will focus on media production and will be geared towards empowering BVI youth, musical expression, and characterisation. Participants are expected to gain practical skills that foster self-awareness and teamwork with the ultimate goal of opening doors to global and regional creative industries.
The grants were provided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s International Programme Fund.
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They surely know how to play with our hearts and minds. After spending $10 million on a prearranged non transparent COI and $1millon on another predetermined report on the security assessment of the BVI. They now come brag about spending $30k on youth programmes. We thank them but we are not fooled. We see your real intent.
Thank you, UK. This will come in handy as we have no money, despite annual government budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
Somehow, we don’t seem to have got much for it.
What! UK stop funding prisons only?
$30,000?? Seriously? That is the Governor’s gratuity payment almost. $1 per person in the BVI! We supposed to cheer for them giving we scraps from their table like old time slaves? Stop the madness. Thirty thousand dollars is garbage compared to what they should be giving and owe us!