HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM SANDALS FOUNDATION’S CARE FOR KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Third form students Kyrah Edwards of Princess Margaret Secondary School and Erwin Christopher of Antigua Grammar School are continuing to benefit from the Sandals Foundation’s Care for Kids Scholarship Programme, having received their third instalment of scholarship funding towards their secondary school education.

Kyrah and Erwin have each received an annual contribution of US$500, renewed at the start of every academic school year based on the students maintaining strong academic performance.

The support is intended to help ease some of the financial responsibilities associated with their education while encouraging them to remain committed to academic excellence.

For the scholars, the impact of the support extends beyond the financial assistance, providing tangible benefits that have positively influenced their school experience.

“Receiving this scholarship has helped me in countless ways. It takes away the stress of having to worry about how I am going to pay for school supplies, books and other things I need for school.

Knowing that I have this support helps to clear my mind and gives me a more stress-free environment to focus on my studies and do my best academically,” said Erwin Christopher. For Kyrah, the scholarship has helped address an important need that directly affected her ability to learn.

“The scholarship has helped me a lot with my studies. One of the ways it supported me was by helping me get prescription glasses, which have made it much easier for me to see my schoolwork clearly. It has also helped me feel more prepared and confident when I go to school. I am very grateful for the support because it has made a positive difference in my education,” said Kyrah Edwards.

However, the scholarship experience extends beyond financial assistance. The duo are also given opportunities to engage with the Sandals Foundation’s community outreach initiatives, allowing them to experience first-hand the importance of service and giving back to their communities.

Both students have been active participants in the philanthropic organisation’s annual Backto-School outreach initiative, joining Sandals Foundation volunteers on the frontline as school supplies and other essential items are distributed to children and families in communities across Antigua and Barbuda.

Their involvement is a deliberate part of the scholarship experience, exposing the students not only to the importance of education but also to the responsibility that comes with having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

As part of the Foundation’s scholarship experience, recipients are treated to an annual allexpenses-paid social activity.

This year, the scholars enjoyed a Stingray City tour followed by lunch at Beach Limerz, accompanied by Sandals Grande Antigua Public Relations Manager and Sandals Foundation representative Leon Norville, who provides ongoing support and check-ins throughout the programme, while helping to identify their needs and recommend interventions where necessary to ensure the scholars remain on track academically and personally.

“For us, Care for Kids is about developing the whole young person. Yes, the scholarship provides financial assistance and rewards academic commitment, but we also want Kyrah and Erwin to understand the importance of service, compassion and giving back. That is why their involvement in community outreach is so important. They are not simply receiving support from the Sandals Foundation; they are becoming part of the work that we do to support others. Seeing them participate in our Back-to-School initiative, interacting with children and families and helping to give back is exactly the kind of experience we want them to carry with them throughout their lives,” said Norville.

The Antigua scholars are part of a wider regional initiative that has been supporting young people across the Caribbean for more than a decade.

The Sandals Foundation, the Care for Kids Scholarship Programme has awarded scholarships to 243 students across the Caribbean since 2009. The five-year programme provides annual assistance to students entering high school, with support that can include tuition, books, uniforms and annual medical expenses.

The programme’s impact extends beyond secondary education. The Sandals Foundation has also provided scholarships to Caribbean students pursuing tertiary education in fields including education, mathematics, marine conservation, medicine and veterinary medicine.