US$25,000 for House of Hope

The House of Hope Society Inc. has received a donation of US$25,000.

The cheque, a personal donation to the Society from St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Paris-based Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Wafic Said, was handed over by Chairman of the UNESCO National Commission, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Michael Browne last Friday 15. {{more}}

Receiving the cheque on the Society’s behalf was Arthur Connell, director, Anita Nanton, chief operations officer and president of the Board of Directors, Archdeacon Sylvanus Regisford.

Archdeacon Regisford said this donation brings the Society’s building fund to approximately EC$330,000, monies raised from local and international donors and local fund raising.

The members of the House of Hope Society delegation, in discussions with the Minister, stressed the need for the Hospice to become a reality as soon as possible. If not, the local and international broad-based support that the Society has been receiving may soon come to an end, they claimed.

The Society has not yet been successful in acquiring property from which to start their hospice care. Notwithstanding this setback, they have, however, commenced their education and counseling programs, and provide support for some persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Ambassador Said’s attention was drawn to the work of the Society late last year, when the Society submitted a proposal to UNESCO seeking support for the Society’s Education Programme. They were awarded a grant of US$15,000.

Minister Browne joined the Society in thanking Ambassador Said, not only for his gift, but for all the work he was doing on St. Vincent and Grenadines’ behalf at UNESCO.

The presentation was also witnessed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ UNESCO National Commission Secretary General, La Fleur John.