Seven students will be receiving scholarships, through an increasingly successful 5K-run led by RBC Royal Bank (Barbados) Limited entitled Race For The Kids.
RBC’s managing director Robert de Silva announced the event raised $120 000 this year.
Last year’s event turned in $63 000 in scholarship funding from 1 300 participants. Some 2 000 people took part this year.
Citing the words of late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, that “education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world”, de Silva told a gathering of students, parents and University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill staff the event began as a simple conversation between principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, UWI board members and RBC leaders.
Commitment to help
“A growing part of RBC’s investment in communities is our commitment to help create better opportunities and futures for youth, to harness education and to contribute to the sustainable future and prosperity of this country,” he said.
“As you are all well aware, we are at a transition point in Barbados economically and socially. Every one of us – Government, educators, employers, corporate businesses and individuals – have a role to play in creating this future for our youth in Barbados.”
The students receiving RBC scholarships were Mary Harewood, Sherise Bovell, Kamilah Nakhuda, Makela Gibson, Ranisha Daniel, Daron Kirton and Derrika Rowe.
The event Tuesday at the Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination included the presentation of prizes to primary and secondary schools who took part in an essay competition under the RBC Race For The Kids project.
Nakhuda, a Muslim, said she was part of a minority group at the university as well as Barbadian society. “Thus, I am deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunities which I have been granted as some before me were not fortunate enough to pursue their dreams of quality higher education.
“It is my hope to inspire young girls in my community to work hard, raise their voices and create a positive change in the world,” the scholarship awardee told the gathering.
Barriteau joined de Silva in recognising the various sponsors, volunteers and staff who contributed to the event and said her training was being stepped up to ensure she was a contender in the 2019 race, which will be held on March 10. She also encouraged students to consider Cave Hill for quality tertiary education. (HH)
