Natasha McLean and her son Shaquoi Farrington at the airport before he leaves for Paris. Photo: Provided

Shaquoi’s dream came true, to participate in the People to People ambassador programme. Photo: Provided

In the previous article that was posted on April 29, 2012, Ms. McLean who resides in the United States with her son, turned to her homeland for help to aid Shaquoi Farrington with funds to take part in the People to People Student Ambassador Programme.

Shaquoi was nominated and accepted to participate in the Programme but lacked finances to do so.

“Due to all the contributions to my various families who were listed in the article, plus the monies collected from the car wash, take away dinners and tent clothing sales in the BVI, I was able to sum up all the money to pay for the trip.”

She added, “I want to thank all the Virgin Islanders and others who contributed in many ways.”

The People to People Student Ambassador Programme is a student travel service based in Spokane, Washington offering international travel opportunities to elementary, middle, and high school students. The Programme costs $7000 to participate.

In excitement, Ms. McLean told this new site she is happy and is truly proud, being able to afford her son the opportunity to travel the world. She said that it is an awesome feeling, where she kept leaning on her childhood teachings of "it takes a village to raise a child".

“I am a big believer in that and with my public relations skills and past experiences, there was no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to raise the $7000 for this opportunity.”

With all the help from the people of the VI, Ms. McLean indicated that she collected $3,500.

She indicated that Shaquoi left for the trip on June 30, 2012 and is expected to be back on July 19.

“Shaquoi left for Paris where they went on to Germany and is currently in Switzerland, he will then go to Italy and then Austria.”

The proud mother stated that the trip would change her son’s life forever, where he would be exposed to many opportunities, cultures and would learn to appreciate that no matter where he goes, people live different lives and it is unfair to say that your culture is better than others.

“It’s all about ethnocentrism, he would be more rounded and learn about the different laws in each country.”

She added that before leaving for the trip, her 15-year old son, who is a sophomore at Coply High School in Ohio, had to participate in different cultural training workshops to prepare him for the different practices and traditions he is going to see and partake in on his journey.

Ms. McLean who hails from East End, Tortola, moved to the United States to further her studies at the University of Akron, Ohio, where she studies Social Works.

Relston “Relly” Farrington of the Virgin Islands who died on April 6, 2004, was the father of Shaquoi Farrington. Mr. Farrington was a worker at the Electricity Corporation in the Virgin Islands, before he died of a tragic accident, where he and two other employees were burnt to death in a truck.