SVGTU gives $30K in bursaries, scholarships

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Credit Union (SVGTCU) is again assisting its members on their journey to achieving a higher education.

On Wednesday, September 2, nine members of the SVGTCU were awarded a total of $30,000 in bursaries to aid them in their university studies. Additionally, two were awarded Community College scholarships.{{more}}

The bursary programme, which began in 1998, was started to give financial support to members who were studying oversees and were facing financial difficulty with their cost of living.

President of the SVGTCU Cecil Charles noted that the SVGTCU values their members and will explore every possible avenue to help them.

Charles boasted: “SVGTCU is the best credit union in St Vincent and the Grenadines…apart from giving back dividends and rebates, we saw a need to lend support to our members as they seek higher education.”

He explained that he is very proud and excited that the organization can still offer the bursaries and scholarships.

“We believe that we are charged with the responsibility of educating our nation,” Charles insisted.

The nine busary recipients are Noel Campbell, J’Rai Dasilva, Barbara Rodgers Defreitas, Jamar Goodluck, Donet Johnson, Haley Thomas McLean, Anthonio Rawlins, Debra Samuel LaBorde and Levana Quashie.

Summer Warrican and Deree Myers were awarded Community College scholarships, with Warrican being commended for her outstanding performance at the recent CXC/CSEC examinations.

To be eligible for these bursaries and awards, members have to complete the first year of their chosen courses and demonstrate that they are able to maintain their grades.

Chief executive officer at the SVGTCU Julian Jack also gave remarks at the event.

“St Vincent must become a literate population so that you can understand what is happening around you,” he reiterated.

Jack recalled that after a visit to Trinidad in 1997, he saw that many members studying there were facing financial burden with their day-to-day maintenance. On returning from that trip, he asked the board to see what could be done to help these students.

Although the bursaries were first awarded to students studying abroad, the board soon realized that students studying locally also required assistance, and included them in the programme. (CM)