HOPE Foundation donates school bags

The Helping Others Pursue Excellence (HOPE) Foundation has assisted the 12 successful Common Entrance students of the Buccament Government School with book bags and stationery.{{more}}

The handing over ceremony for the gifts took place at the Penniston Community Centre on Saturday, August 7, where HOPE Foundation President Rondie Edwards encouraged the recipients to believe that no matter their backgrounds, if they worked hard enough, they could have a bright future.

He shared: “It’s a wide world out there and you can be anything you want to be, so don’t feel that you’re not worthy. I remember that when I came from the Buccament Government School and I just went to the Grammar School…there were children from the town schools and I wondered if I was as good. But you know what? You are just as good, remember you are just as capable.”

Edwards, who studied Geology and Economics at the University of Mississippi and who now works for the Mississippi Department of Transportation in the Materials and Testing Lab section, said that it was his family, friends and members of the community who encouraged him to be the best he could be.

The HOPE Foundation leader also urged the community members of today to play that role in supporting the youngsters. He noted that this could be manifested not only through material assistance, but also through pep talks or by showing concern for their general well being.

Edwards stressed that it was time that members of the community take an active part in helping to raise the youth of their community and he noted that the HOPE Foundation was also going to follow up on this commitment of continued assistance by having an after school tutoring programme. He noted that the money raised from a Bar-B-Q which was held earlier would assist in this endeavour.

Headteacher Artis Robinson reinforced the need to encourage students and thanked the children, parents, his staff and the HOPE Foundation for their pursuit of excellence. Robinson mentioned that in July, the school received a projector, a desktop computer and several books from the foundation which he said he will ensure that it makes an impact in the learning environment.

The HOPE Foundation is a non-profit organization made up of members of the Buccament community who have attained some level of success and who now seek to improve and harness the talents of our youths through sports, vocational, community service and academics.

For further information about HOPE and to find out how you can make contributions to the foundation, email hope@hopesvg.org or contact any of the following members: Alex Myers – 784 532 8693, Royron Adams – 784 533 2121 or Syran Clarke – 784 431 3525.