BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 16, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, will once again demonstrate his commitment to the education of the nation’s youth, when he presents over $40,000 in bursaries to more than 80 students as part of his highly successful and lauded Help-a-Child Programme.
The Help-a-Child Programme, which is now entering its 15th year, is a Primary School Scholarship Award initiative where successful students from Dr. Harris’ constituency (St. Christopher Seven – Belle Vue to Ottley’s) are presented $500 each.
The programme commenced in 2004 with 24 children from the four primary schools in the constituency, namely: Violet Petty Primary, Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary, Estridge Primary School in Mansion Village and the Edgar T. Morris Primary School.
Today, the Help-a-Child initiative has evolved to include students of the Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School in Basseterre, as well as students who reside in Constituency Seven, but who attend primary schools elsewhere.
During a recent appearance on Sugar City FM’s the People’s Voice with host Ambassador Michael Powell, who himself is a contributor to the scholarship programme, Prime Minister Harris encouraged parents, guardians and the wider community to come out and support the children.
“It is important that they know that the entire community and indeed the entire country stands with our young people as we give them an opportunity to take advantage of the free education that is available here,” said Prime Minister Harris, who is guided by his belief that education is the best gift one can give a child.
The 15th Annual Help-a-Child Programme Primary School Scholarship Award Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, October 17, at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Bourryeau.
The $42,500 in bursaries that will be presented on Wednesday will bring the total amount awarded to date under the Help-a-Child programme to $294,000.00 and will bring the total number of awardees to 588.
