Rotary Clubs donate funds to help women pursue studies at SVGCC

Two Rotary clubs in St Vincent and the Grenadines have joined forces to provide a financial donation to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC).

And according to a release from the Agency for Public Information (API) this scholarship donation is to help females who desire to pursue a two year associate degree at the college’s Division of Technical and Vocational Studies.

The donation, amounting to EC$144,215 was made by the Rotary Club South, in collaboration with the Rotary Club St Vincent on Friday, December 17, 2021 and will cover the cost of books and transportation, among other things.

Twenty scholarships will be given to females at a total value of EC$123,041. Additionally, the Rotary Club has allocated just over EC$21,000 with the unveiling of another project, targeting men in the area of skills training (electrical installation field).

District Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club, Shafia London-Williams said that after the eruption of La Soufriere volcano, the Rotary Club visited the affected rural communities and recognised that many women whose roles were instrumental to family life, were severely impacted. London-Williams emphasised that it was the club’s view that this was an area worthy of pursuit, through the empowerment of women by way of education.

She explained that the president of Rotary International, Shekhar Mehta is advocating for the prioritisation of projects for the “empowerment of women, their health, education, well-being and economic security.” London-Williams therefore encouraged clubs and districts to empower girls and women in all the service initiatives they undertake during the 2021 – 2022 Rotary year.

President of Rotary Club St Vincent, Dr Janelle Allen expressed delight in being able to partner with the SVGCC noting that, “This education- focused project is one of many projects we will be implementing over the course of this 2021 – 2022 Rotary year.” The also expressed excitement that the project is in tandem with the goal of empowering women and girls through vocational skills training in fields that were originally male dominated. Automotive repairs, architectural technology, electrical technology, agricultural science, plumbing and entrepreneurship are among the range of options for which the scholarship will provide support.

Director of the SVGCC, Nigel Scott thanked the Rotary Clubs for their contribution and revealed that the institution is now on the verge of instituting a new five year strategic plan from 2022 under the theme: “Let’s ACE It (Access, Community Engagement and Economic Empowerment).

Scott pointed out that the mandate of the Rotary Club meshes with that of the college and he anticipates an excellent partnership on this project.