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The Rotaract Club of Montserrat is joining with the Rotaract Club of Sangre Grande on the international service project, Roots to Results. This project is focused on creating greater opportunities for success, by sponsoring the applicants’ journey to attaining their CSEC English or Mathematics qualifications. The opportunity is open to residents of Montserrat and Trinidad and Tobago who have left formal school and missed or did not pass CSEC Maths or English A. Applicants must also be unable to afford private tuition or exam fees. The sponsorship will cover fully-funded preparatory classes, academic mentorship and guidance, study support, and registration and CSEC examination fees. Successful applicants will only receive funding for one subject. Applications close on Friday September 18th. For more details and to apply, persons can visit the Rotaract Club of Montserrat’s social media pages.

As the new academic year begins, St Anthony Lodge No. 4686EC on Montserrat, under the District Grand Lodge of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, has once again affirmed its commitment to charity and community support. On September 3rd, the Lodge presented a cheque for $4,000.00 to the Deputy Director of Social Services, Ms. Sharese Allen, in support of the Back to School Children Assistance Programme. Charity is not an act of publicity but a reflection of the Lodges’ values as a fraternal organization. St. Anthony Lodge is a registered Friendly Society, and a Non-Profit Organization serving Montserrat. Every year, each member of the Lodge dedicate themselves to raising funds for this cause, ensuring that children in need receive the support required to begin their school year with dignity and hope. In presenting the cheque, the Presiding Master, Mr. Kenneth Patrick Silcott, profoundly stated, “this donation is one of the substantial amounts given to this cause, and this is because of personal commitments by members of the Lodge and supporters. There are other initiatives that we support, as charity continues to be one of the foundations of our organization and I will reiterate that we, as members, do so from our hearts and not for publicity. Over the years, when we make this presentation, we would highlight our commitment to do all that we can to promote and encourage support from other interested persons. This has brought some success this year, and a great portion of what we are handing over today came directly from members and supporters overseas within the last few days, and for this we are thankful. Let us continue to do all that we can to support those in need in our community, especially our children.” Receiving the cheque was Deputy Director, Miss Sharese Allen.  In conveying appreciation on behalf of the Department of Social Services, Miss Allen who is acting on behalf of the Director of Social Services said, “she would like to acknowledge the increase in the donation, the continued efforts and commitment of the St Anthony Lodge to provide support for children in need going back to school. She added that the donations will support the educational needs of children, noting that investment in their education is a sustainable investment in their future. She further commented that the Department looks forward to receiving these contributions each year, particularly during the back-to-school period. She noted that the Department has an established process to quickly identify children returning to school who would benefit most from the support. She concluded by expressing profound thanks on behalf of the Director Mrs. Teresena Fergus.” Also witnessing the presentation by Mr. Kenneth Patrick Silcott, were members Peter W.A. White OBE, Kendall W. Lee, Jermaine J. Wade, Edward W. Andrew and Clyde A. Rogers. Constituted in July 1925 under the United Grand Lodge of England, St Anthony Lodge No. 4684EC remain guided by the principle that true charity flows quietly from the heart, living out the values of compassion, fraternity, and service to community. This annual support for children returning to school is to ensure that they begin the school year equipped and encouraged.

The Rotary Club of Montserrat, through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Antigua, has donated over 60 laptops to support students and teachers across Montserrat’s three primary schools. The donation has been made possible through the Rotary Club of Antigua’s longstanding Education Through Technology (ETT) Programme, which seeks to improve access to technology and strengthen opportunities for learning through the provision of digital tools. The laptops will be distributed primarily to Grade 4 students at all three primary schools on Montserrat, with devices also being provided to teachers to support classroom instruction. The initiative comes at an opportune time as a new ICT programme is scheduled to be rolled out across Montserrat’s public primary schools from September 2026. The laptops will complement the technology and equipment already available in school IT labs and classrooms, helping to broaden students’ access to digital learning and supporting teachers in integrating technology into their lessons. President of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, Ms. Michelle Cassell, said the project demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when Rotary clubs work together to respond to the needs of their communities. “This donation is a wonderful example of the strength of partnership across Rotary clubs. By working with the Rotary Club of Antigua, we are able to extend the reach and impact of a proven programme and put valuable learning tools directly into the hands of our students and teachers. Education creates opportunities, strengthens communities and gives our young people the foundation to build a better future. As Rotarians, investing in education is therefore one of the most meaningful investments we can make.” She further described the initiative as both timely and relevant, noting the increasingly important role that technology plays in education and everyday life. The project aligns with Rotary International’s Basic Education and Literacy Area of Focus, through which Rotary supports initiatives that strengthen education systems, improve access to education, support teachers and promote literacy and lifelong learning. The Rotary Club of Montserrat extends its appreciation to the Rotary Club of Antigua for facilitating the donation through its Education Through Technology Programme and for its commitment to extending the benefits of the initiative to students in Montserrat. The Club extends also extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Education for welcoming the initiative and partnering with the Rotary Club of Montserrat to facilitate the successful implementation of the project. The Ministry has been instrumental in sourcing and funding the required software applications, ensuring that the laptops are equipped with age-appropriate educational tools and applications to support the Grade Four curriculum and the learning needs of the students. Through partnerships such as this, the Rotary Club of Montserrat continues to pursue service projects that create practical and lasting benefits for the people of Montserrat, with a particular emphasis on supporting children, young people and education. — END — About the Rotary Club of Montserrat The Rotary Club of Montserrat is part of Rotary International’s global network of volunteers committed to service and to creating lasting change in communities. The Club undertakes projects and partnerships aimed at responding to local needs and improving the wellbeing and development of the Montserrat community.

The Government of Montserrat (GoM) has awarded scholarships and bursaries to eighteen (18) individuals to pursue academic and professional qualifications in the 2026/2027 academic year. Of the eighteen awards, eight individuals received full scholarships, four received partial scholarships and six received bursaries. Recommendations were considered by the National Training and Scholarships Advisory Committee (NTSAC) with final decisions made by Cabinet. Scholarships are awarded based on alignment with the Government of Montserrat’s national priority areas for long-term training and professional qualifications. Through this programme, the Government supports the development of critical skills, strengthens succession planning across the public service and contributes to the development and retention of local talent. This year’s awards represent an investment by the Government of approximately $895,000 in the 2026/2027 financial year underscoring its commitment to developing expertise in critical areas, including healthcare, agriculture, engineering, technology and public administration. The Government of Montserrat congratulates all scholarship and bursary recipients and wishes them every success in the 2026/2027 academic year. The Government looks forward to the value their skills, talents and experiences will contribute to the continued development of Montserrat. Scholarship awards are administered by the Learning and Development Division of the Human Resources Management Unit within the Office of the Deputy Governor. The application period which opened on March 31,2026 and closed on May 30,2026 received 41 completed applications from individuals seeking to pursue or advance their education and professional qualifications. Information on the application process and eligibility requirements for Government of Montserrat scholarships is available on odg.gov.ms/scholarships.