Georgetown Technical Institute (GTI) held its Graduation Ceremony for the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 on Thursday 30th June 2022 at which, thirty (30) of MCF Partial Scholarship Awardees successfully graduated from their respective programs for the 2020-2021 academic year and twenty-six (26) from the 2021-2022 academic year.

Mustique Charitable Foundation (MCF) is also pleased to announce that MCF Partial Scholarship Awardees received the “Most Outstanding” award in each program area, those being Food and Drink Service, Food Preparation and Cookery, Welding, Electrical Installation and Furniture Making.

The theme of GTI’s ceremony was “Persevering through trying times” and Mr. Kendal Sam (GTI Principal) acknowledged the trials that this graduating year faced which caused GTI to miss out on the opportunity of having a graduation ceremony last year. However, he expressed his pride in the work and determination of the trainees which saw the Institute re-opening soon after the La Soufrière Volcanic Eruptions.

At the ceremony, during her brief address, Natalia Gill (MCF Project Director) encouraged the graduates and advised them that “Though there is a current lack of emphasis on skill-based education, each of you are the evidence that technically trained persons are a core element of any project and without them, nothing would be possible in everyday life.”

Mustique Charitable Foundation is heartened by the performance of all Awardees for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic year and hope that the MCF Partial Scholarships will continue to benefit trainees in the year to come.

Hello dear, my name is Sobrina Patterson and I hail from the picturesque, farming community of Rose Hall. I am a past student of the Bishop’s College Kingstown and a graduand of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. I am the holder of an Associate Degree in Psychology.

After graduating from the Community College, I was desperately seeking employment. I submitted numerous applications to various companies all to no avail. I finally decided to apply for the Y.E.S, ( Youth Empowerment Service) program. I was successful and was assigned to the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School where I was guided to assist with the instruction of English A and Office Administration.

After one year my contract came to an end , that was really a difficult time for me as I had to go back to seeking employment all over again.

It was during my earnest search to find something to do, that I got a bright idea. It was as if a light bulb went off in my head, ” why not apply to attend the Barrouallie Technical Institute?” I pitched the idea to my father who by the way, is my biggest cheerleader and role model, and he encouraged me to try my luck.

I immediately went to the institute and applied for the Commercial Food Preparation course. Few weeks after my interview when I received a call that I was accepted I was so elated. My excitement was however not shared by my social circle as I was told that, that institution was not for me. ” you’re too bright for that school,” they said. The fact that I was financially incapable at the time also dampened my spirit a bit.

Nevertheless, September 2018 saw me entering the gates of BTI. I decided to stand like a brave with my face to the fore because the lord is the one who strengthens me. As soon as my feet touched the compound of the Barrouallie Technical Institute, I realised that I had made the right decision. I have absolutely no regrets. The staff is so welcoming and helpful, they took me under their wings and that guidance has helped to put me in the position I am in today.

With encouragement from the Principal and my Food Preparation instructor, I was given the opportunity to go on attachment at Basil’s Bar and Restaurant, it was an amazing experience. I can honestly say that BTI moulded me,groomed and protected me and set me up for what was to come.

As the motto says; “Training hands and minds maximising potential “. Well BTI did just that for me.

I would surely recommend this institution to persons especially on the Leeward side of the island, once you are willing to learn a skill and have the right ATTITUDE.

Through this institution I’ve been given the opportunity to start my own business; ‘HERBELLA’, where I produce products such as Coconut oil my special Ginger Hair Oil, along with various flavors of Punch de Créme. I am now also employed as a S.E.T worker, attached to the Rose Hall Government School and I am using the knowledge, skills and teaching techniques which I saw exhibited by the staff at BTI to reach my students. Most importantly, I am showing the LOVE that I felt while I was a trainee to the children in my care.

It goes without saying therefore, that my experience at the Barrouallie Technical Institute not only helped me to be certified in a skill and own my own business, but it gave me the ammunition to help make a difference in the lives of our future generation.

So you see, if you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to reaching your goals.

Thanks to the ANEW program for assisting me financially also the Mustique Charitable Foundation for awarding me a scholarship. Without each of you and the mercies of God I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Thank you BTI.

Kingstown Technical Institute (KTI) held its Graduation Ceremony for the academic year 2019-2020 on Wednesday 9th December 2020, at which, nineteen (19) of MCF Partial Scholarship Awardees successfully graduated from their respective programs.

The Mustique Charitable Foundation (MCF) was also very pleased that the “Principal’s Award” and the “Most Outstanding Award” for each of the four programs were all captured by MCF Partial Scholarship Awardees. The four programs offered for the 2019-2020 academic year were Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Food Preparation & Cookery and Data Operations.

At the ceremony, Bertillon Hamilton (KTI Principal) expressed gratitude to the Mustique Charitable Foundation for filling the gap where the Ministry was unable to provide lunches for Technical Institute students. This was further expressed as the Mustique Charitable Foundation was presented with an “Appreciation Award” plaque for supporting the 2019-2020 CVQ Cohort at the Kingstown Technical Institute.

Additionally, Mr. Endoll Johnson (Senior Education Officer of TVET) acknowledged Mustique Charitable Foundation for their continued financial contribution towards Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

In her brief address, Dularie Malcolm (MCF Project Director) highlighted that “Technical & Vocational Education was one of the main focus areas of the Mustique Charitable Foundation, so much so that for the 2020/2021 academic year, 170 Partial Scholarships were funded at the four (4) Technical Institutes and the Technical and Teachers Division at the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Community College”.

Mustique Charitable Foundation is heartened by the performance of our nineteen (19) Awardees for the 2019-2020 academic year and hope that the twenty (20) trainees awarded MCF Partial Scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year will also benefit and succeed.