Roseau, Dominica – The Western Union Foundation today announced it has teamed up with H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. and Hands Across the Sea to rejuvenate the school libraries of Jones Beaupierre Primary School and Wesley Primary School in Dominica.
As part of the effort, brand new, requested reading books and ongoing assistance and mentorship from the Hands Literacy Link for Dominica will be provided to students.
John Dye, Board Chairman of the Western Union Foundation, said, “The Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to make dreams come true through economic opportunity is not a privilege for a few but a right for all. This grant will directly impact more than 228 children in Dominica, increasing education opportunities for them improving the quality of education; and the inclusion of new materials in the curriculum.”
Kira Thompson-Aird, Manager of Western Union Money Transfer, Local Agent H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. Ltd., commented “Whitchurch enjoys working with schools to improve education opportunities, especially those who show great interest in engaging their students through on-site programs, such as the library. This is a driving force behind our choice in which schools to work with. To donate is one thing, to see results from that donation are what truly matters to us. Our hope is to build a stronger foundation in Wesley Primary School and Jones Beaupierre Primary School’s educational programs and results. Through our partnership with The Western Union Foundation and Hands Across the Sea, Whitchurch seeks to create bright futures for our youth by arming them with the greatest tool available – the power to use and understand the written word. With it, all things become possible. Worlds open up, imaginations prosper and creativity flourishes.”
“By making it possible for Hands Across the Sea to put brand new, targeted books into the hands of the students at Jones Beaupierre Primary School and Wesley Primary School, H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co., Ltd. and the Western Union Foundation have once again demonstrated their strong belief in raising child literacy levels on Dominica,” said Harriet Linskey, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Hands Across the Sea. “Their 2013 support for child literacy on Dominica, in partnership with Hands Across the Sea, made a big difference at Roseau Primary School, Castle Bruce Secondary School, and St. John’s Academy. In addition to new books, H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co., Ltd. and the Western Union Foundation also support the efforts of Celia Sorhaindo, the Hands Literacy Link for Dominica, who works with each school to guide and mentor efforts to raise child literacy levels.”
Since 2008, Hands Across the Sea has sent 51,430 reading books to 83 pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools, and community reading programs on Dominica. The 2015-2016 Hands Wish Lists shipment, which fulfills the “wish list” of books requested by educators, is the best—highest quality, most targeted—in Hands Across the Sea’s eight years of operation. To raise child literacy levels in a sustainable fashion, our CLASS (Caribbean Literacy and School Support) Program utilizes three steps: 1. Send New, Amazing Books; 2. Create/Rejuvenate Lending Libraries; and 3. Sustain the Literacy Gains.
Thank you, Western Union and HHV Whitchurch