Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Marcella Powell has given the assurance to the Bless the Children Inc. that the educational materials donated by the organization will enable students to master their educational performance particularly in the area of Mathematics.
On Wednesday John and Brenda Scanelli of Bless the Children Inc. handed over a 40-foot container of school supplies and furniture to the Ministry of Education at the Windsor Park Stadium.
The donation was also done in collaboration with Tropical Shipping.
“This donation goes a long way in the fulfilment of our education vision every child succeeds,” Powell said. “I am convinced that the resources donated by Mr. and Mrs. Scanelli will contribute greatly to the performance of our students in this regard. More specifically the numeracy resources will contribute greatly in school performance in the area of mathematics particularly when one considers limitations in the teaching and learning of mathematics on a national level.”
Powell mentioned that the Scanelli’s are generous givers and are equally enthusiastic about conducting sessions with local educators and hopes that they will be doing so this time around.
Brenda Scanelli who has a background in Home Economic Education and Early Childhood education urged teachers to reconsider the classroom structures in an effort to maximize student learning.
“To help students succeed educators must re- think how classrooms are structured; revive the expectations of students to suit the time and incorporate the real world into the educational process. It is essential that children become self-directed learners and problem solvers…as the world shrinks as time speeds up so must your view of what twenty first century classrooms look like for our children,” she stated.
The Scanelli’s have a long history in community service within the United States and the Caribbean.
Their work in the Caribbean started 10 years ago on the island of St. Kitts where they helped renovate and refurnish a home for children.
Thanks to the generous contribution by Tropical Shipping of defraying the ocean freight costs, one intitial container has grown to over twenty 40-ft containers to date.
As a result of this partnership with Tropical they have expanded and shifted their focus to supplying school furniture and teaching/ learning resources, books, computers to six Caribbean islands.
This is the sixth time that Dominica has benefited from the organization’s generosity with a 40 ft. container which included items such as mathematics, science and language arts teaching materials, teaching resources, overhead projectors and screens, language laboratories, art and music resources among others.
The next phase of this process for the Scanelli’s, in partnership with Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA, is to provide teacher training and professional development through distance learning seminars.
The seminars will focus on how to utilize the resources in ways that support the Ministry of Education’s goals for the Each Child Succeeds initiative.
Thanks to the Scanellis and Tropical Shipping for their dontation to education.
This is a very great gesture…May God continue to provide for this lovely couple so that they can continue to share with other countries. one thing though, i hope that these items are distributed to the appropriate schools islandwide. remember the outdistrict and needy primary schools all over the country.
youcould not have said it better,sometimes it goes to the bushwa kids and the poor ones gets nothing.
This is Peter St Jean’s Department again being proactive in pursuit of excellence for our children. Donations are usually made following lots of networking and behind the scene discussions. Well done to all concerned. Job well done!
It’s always a joy and blessing when someone remember our children in Dominica, what a great gift God bless you all.
dominica come so poor eh
Words are inadequate to describe the generousity of this lovely couple. May God bless them with health and long life. Love you John and Brenda to the max.
Sincerest thanks to the Scanelli’s for their generous support and in particular to the North East Comprehensive School for the two Language labs! God’s richest blessing upon you and your organization.
Thanks for your generosity Mr & Mrs Scannelli.May God continue to expand your borders.Gods richest blessings.
Thank you so very much to the Scanelli’s for such a profound gesture am sure it will go a long way.
may god continue to bless and keep you.
love and peace to your family.
Thank you John and Brenda.Great job at giving. we must not forget Hands Across the Sea who is also doing a great job at giving to our schools. They may be quiet but they are very generous as well. Thank you Harriet and Tom Linskey from Hands Across the Sea.