KCCU presents secondary school scholarships to two

Two students, Rollins Doyle, a former student of the Belair Government School and Chante Melville of the CW Prescod School were the recipients of the Kingstown Co-operative Credit Union (KCCU) 2007 secondary school scholarships on Monday.{{more}}

The young scholars will each receive $1,000 annually for the next five years to assist with their secondary education. Two bursaries of $500 each were handed over to Melany Mc Nichols of the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School and Shannique Clarke of the Peters Ville School, while 29 other students received bursaries of a smaller amount.

According to KCCU Manager Clement Lynch, about 50 years ago, a group of concerned men from the Richmond Hill community pooled their money together and from under the “shack shack” tree, established what has grown into a financial tower with growing membership. The cooperative started with just $250, and has today grown to $45 million in assets.

Lynch, who was addressing the scholarship award ceremony at the Peace Memorial Hall, in his brief overview of the financial institution said that KCCU grew by 35% over the past year.

The KCCU manager thanked the thousands of members for supporting the company and said that the management will continue to ensure that with vision and hard work the company will grow.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Treasurer Richard Williams emphasized that KCCU was proud to assist in the education revolution by contributing toward the student loan programme. Williams called on members to give the Board of Directors feedback when decisions are made to ensure that they keep in line with what was best for their members and the company. He encouraged the scholarship holders to continue to do well at school and pleaded with parents to continue to support their children.

Education Planner Asfo Stephens commended the KCCU for their contribution, while Registrar of Cooperatives Cecil Jackson noted that the company would continue to support the education of young minds in this country.

Since 2006, some $70,000 has been issued in the scholarships through the KCCU scholarship programme. (SG)