St. George’s, Grenada, October, 2020. GRENCODA’s Student Assistance Programme (SAP), once known as the Books and Uniform Programme has been in existence for almost twenty five years. It was formulated with the express wish of using education as a tool for upward mobility and the eventual eradication of poverty in Grenada, back in July of 1986.This long term goal has always been cognizant that its achievement would be reliant upon the support of civic minded individuals and Grenada’s corporate community.

One such evidence of support, computers and cash, was received by representative, Mr.Tyrone Buckmire, Director of the Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic. Mrs. Judy Williams, general secretary for GRENCODA commented; “education for these young persons is now more vital than ever, especially with the additional challenges thrust upon the global community by the pandemic. We have to find the ways and means to ensure that the opportunities provided by SAP do not disappear for the youth, present and future, to be involved in the programme. Increased use of technology, to allow for continued education in the face of covid-19 protocols, requires that the students also be able to avail themselves of the same. We are very grateful to the bank for their assistance in helping us towards meeting this challenge.”

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, who have been donating to the programme for the last seventeen years, were pleased to put the five computers and $1000.00 in cash, to such good use. Country Manager, Nigel Ollivierre, stated; “the school year has commenced for all of our young people regardless of their backgrounds. We cannot think of a better use for this equipment, than to aid young persons on the road to finding and building a brighter future for themselves and their families. The task undertaken by organisations such as GRENCODA are phenomenal, and the results are an inspiration not only to the youths involved, but to our island-wide community,” he concluded. The Student Assistance Programme embraces worthy young persons from vulnerable and poor families, in Grenada’s rural communities, tasking itself to provide them with the support required to complete their secondary level education, thus providing an opportunity for them to break free from the poverty cycle.