As the new academic year begins, students of all ages in the Roseau Central Constituency have once again been touched by the Melissa Skerrit Foundation.
This as the foundation in collaboration with the Montreal Management Consultant Establishment (MMCE) awarded fifty scholarships to deserving students and distributed over two hundred backpacks filled with school supplies to students at various levels as part of the back to school scholar programme.
Founder of the Melissa Skerrit Foundation, and Member of Parliament for the Roseau Central Constituency, Hon. Melissa Poponne Skerrit, who addressed the handing over ceremony, said more school bags will be handed out around the island during this week.
“Through this foundation about two hundred school bags filled with school supplies will be given to children from my constituency and over the few days hundreds more will be distributed across the island. This year the contribution of our benefactors also made the contribution of fifty scholarships to deserving students,” Hon. Skerrit announced.
Hon. Skerrit says her foundation has assisted thousands of students since its establishment as she believes that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed
“Over the years this back to school programme has extended assistance to thousands of students at all academic levels through the donation os school bags, school supplies and the provision of scholarships, and I firmly subscribe to the notion that every child should be given a fair chance to succeed hence this necessary intervention in Roseau Central. Government continues to play its part and remains resolute in its push to ensure that every child is provided with a quality education and this is exemplified through the provision of yearly scholarships, bursaries, school transfer grants, free transportation and additional support for teachers, principals and the expansion of the curriculum to include technical and vocational subjects,” the Roseau Central MP explained.
She then encouraged students to use the opportunities and resources available to them to build a successful life.
“Let excellence be your guide. In everything, set the highest bar and do everything in your power t attain it. You must be mindful of your responsibilities. Have an attitude of gratitude for all the efforts that your parents and others are putting in to ensure that you have all the opportunities to succeed. Show up to school on time, get up early, listen attentively in class, be an active participant work to the best of your ability, display positive behavior, grasp new challenges and smash them. Show respect to all and cultivate a culture of excellence,” Hon. Skerrit added.
Meanwhile, Project Manager of Montreal Management Consultant Establishment, Mr. Cal Murad says MMCE is proud to assist the Melissa Skerrit Foundation in helping students with a comfortable academic year.
“I am proud and honored to participate in this scholarship awarding ceremony that will help young people in Dominica make their education dream come true. Education is the basic factor for the country’s development and growth. We ta MMCE realize our social responsibilities and feel strongly that education is the main driving force in shaping one’s life,” Murad stated.
Mr. Murad noted that since partnering with Dominica in its development, MMCE has taken the commitment of working with Government to improve the lives of citizens very seriously.
One scholarship recipient thanked Hon. Melissa Skerrit for considering her and the other recipients noting that it will assist them on their educational journey.
“Thank you so much Mrs. Skerrit for the scholarship and school supplies which you have given to us this afternoon. This will help us so much on our journey to be successful in life. May God continue to bless you, your family and your foundation so that you can continue to help us to succeed in our education. We greatly appreciate you,” Ms. Tiana Joseph stated.