On Friday October 1, 2021, twelve students will receive bursaries from the Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), to assist with their education as they enter secondary school. Each student will receive a cheque in the amount of $700. This year’s awardees were selected from among candidates who successfully completed the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) 2021, and who demonstrated a willingness to learn during the academic year. The award of bursaries is an extension of the ZHTF’s flagship programme “Adopt a Classroom”, in which support has been provided to twelve primary schools across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, since 2016, a release from the Fund states.

The awardees are:

Sandra Mason (Barrouallie Anglican)
Ronecia Gould (Barrouallie Government)
Malik Craigg (Calliaqua Anglican)
Tyler Richards (Chateaubelair Methodist)
Shantel Richards (Clare Valley Government)
Denrique Davis (Fair Hall Primary)
Tonique Caine (Fancy Government)
Jaheem Primus (Gomea Methodist)
Shemeka Simmons (Lauders Primary)
Shearnet Maloney (Mayreau Government)
Patricecia Ferdinand (Rose Hall Government)

Faith Payne (Sandy Bay Government)

In addition to the bursaries, students in Grades 4 and 5 at these same 12 beneficiary primary schools, in early September, received the regular annual support from the ZHTF. That support benefited 343 students, 219 Grade 5 and 124 Grade 4. Grade four students received a value of $515 for books and other school supplies, while the amount to the Grade 5 students was $545 for each child.

The “Adopt a Classroom” programme is one of several interventions implemented by the Zero Hunger Trust Fund in an effort to contribute to its mandate of reaching the Sustainable Development Goal #2 of zeroing hunger by 2030. Other interventions include the Golden Years Nutrition Support, an assistance programme for the elderly; and ZHTF Agricultural Support to secondary schools, among other programmes.