The Lions Club of Tortola, in partnership with the West Indian Association of Bermuda, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture (MECYFA) and the Ministry of Health and Social Development (MHSD) has donated a brand new 13 seater 2020 Toyota Hiace School Bus to the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre (EHRLC), the local institution catering to children with special needs. Photo: VINO

Principal of Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, Mrs Vansittart C. C. Huggins (centre, red dress) thanked the donors for the new School Bus and said the bus will help the students to explore and have more meaningful learning. Photo: VINO

President of the Lions Club of Tortola, Mr Kedrick E. Malone, said the handover of the school bus shows what is possible when voluntary organisations, the private sector, Government and the community work together to address needs. Photo: Facebook

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) confirmed that plans for the new building for Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre are being completed and it will be relocated next to its current temporary home, the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. Photo: Facebook

Speaking at the Handover Ceremony this morning, Tuesday, February 9, 2021, President of the Lions Club of Tortola, Kedrick E. Malone, said: “The handover of this School Bus shows what is possible when voluntary organisations, the private sector, Government and the community work together to address needs.”

EHRLC lost its home to Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and it is yet to be reconstructed. The school was relocated to a room at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School where they remain to this day.

Donation was initiated by Lions Club of Tortola

According to a press release from the Lions Club of Tortola, the donation was initiated by Lions Club of Tortola member Nichola Dunkley who reached out to the principal of EHRLC in September 2019 to see how she could assist one of the school’s students.

“She discovered that the school had many needs and got the Lions Club to assist. By March 2020, the Club and corporate sponsors Infinite Solutions and Mourants had donated three Ipads and a 65 inch Smart TV to the EHRLC. The Club then turned its attention to the School Bus.”

West Indian Association of Bermuda

The majority funding for the School Bus, Lions Club of Tortola said, came in the form of a grant from the West Indian Association of Bermuda who had previously raised funds for hurricane relief and were desirous of partnering with a local organization to put the funds towards a project.

“Through its representative Anil Chattergoon, the Association agreed to work with the Lions Club of Tortola and contributed $20,000 towards the purchase of the School Bus for EHRLC. The funds were later supplemented by donations of $9,000 and $5,000 from the Ministries of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and Ministry of Health and Social Development (MECYFA), respectively.”

Gov’t grateful for players involved

Speaking at the Ceremony, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) thanked the Club, the West Indian Association of Bermuda and all who played a part in the donation. He said he was “glad to be a part of the donation as the MECYFA is a strong supporter of serving the needs of children with special needs.”

Dr Wheatley confirmed that plans for the new school are being completed and it will be relocated next to its current temporary home, the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, to allow the newly formed bond between the two schools to continue.

More meaningful learning

Accepting the keys to the new school bus, the Principal, Mrs Vansittart C. C. Huggins thanked the donors for the new School Bus and pointed out that a bus has always been a part of the school since 1972 and it has been difficult not having one. She said that “most learning takes place outside the walls of the school and the bus will help the students to explore and have more meaningful learning.”

Representative for the Fifth District and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer was also on hand to welcome the donation. He said it was “a good enhancement  to the school, particularly for field trips” and commended the partners for coming together to help the community.

Local businesses played their part

Local business owners were also on hand and thanked for their role in the donation. Terence C.  Gumbs, owner of Legacy Auto sales was credited with offering the best deal for the bus by providing a discount and Cleteist A. Mathavious, owner of Cre8tive Arts branded the bus with the school’s logo as well as those of the Lions Club of Tortola, the MECYAF and MHSD.

The Lions Club of Tortola is a member of Lions Clubs International (www.lionsclubs.org ), a worldwide service organization in 200+ countries with over 47,000 Lions Clubs and a membership of 1.4 million Lions.

Their motto is “WE SERVE” and they empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.

Persons can contact the Lions Club of Tortola at email: tortolalions@gmail.com or visit the Lions Club of Tortola Facebook Page.