Political aspirant and businessman Mr Julian Willock, center, interacts Principal of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School Zubida K. H. O'Neal-George, 2nd from left, while members of the Third District Committee look on. Photo: Provided

Mr Julian Willock, centre, and his committee with Assistant Principal of the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, Mrs Abigail Alexis-Andrew (2nd from left). Photo: Provided

Mr Julian Willock, centre, makes the monetary donation to the Principal of St George's Secondary School, Ms Odalys Gonzalez, in the presence of members of the Third District Committee. Photo: Provided

Mr Willock said it has come to the attention of the Third District Committee that some students are arriving at school without breakfast or lunch, which can affect their ability to learn.

To address this, on Monday, September 14, 2026, he donated $1,000 to each of three schools in District Three, with the funds placed in the care of the principals to support any student identified as needing a meal. The cash donations will benefit the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, and St George’s Secondary School, for a combined total of $3,000. The initiative will run from September to December 2026.

For the new school terms next year, from January to June 2027, the Third District Committee and Mr Willock will donate an additional $3,000 to be split among the three schools.

Mr Willock, a Third District candidate and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, said as long as he is around, no child should be going to any school in District 3 hungry.

Children’s privacy

To protect children’s privacy, the funds will be managed by each school principal. Any parent in need should speak directly to the principal. “I do not need to know who that child is or if the parents are not from District 3; it does not matter. Once the child is attending any of the three schools in the community, no child should be without a meal during their time in school,” Mr Willock said.

He noted that the Third District Committee has additional plans to streamline the initiative, with further announcements expected next year.

Mr Willock also thanked corporate Virgin Islands partners who have contributed to the initiative, including Biras Creek Resort, Caribbean Insurers Ltd, Tortola Auto Group, O’Reilly Consulting & Associates, North Sound Enterprise Limited and Caribbean Cooling BVI.