~Slated for April 16~
PHILIPSBURG--Scotiabank made a considerable monetary donation to the Ujima Foundation on Thursday to assist in the execution of the foundation's Education Symposium slated to be held in the Belair Community Centre on Friday, April 16 9:00am through 2:00pm.
Scotiabank's donation was made possible through its Bright Future Programme, which is an international corporate initiative created by the bank to support opportunities for children and communities. The programme provides assistance in various areas such as education, environment and literary programmes.
The Ujima Foundation apart from managing a Residential Therapeutic Facility for boys aims to tackle pertinent youth concerns through the Ujima Centre for Knowledge and Learning. One of the foundation's goals is to eradicate gang violence, truancy, school dropout rates and behavioural problems amongst youth.
"Our target group is the youth, but we can't work with the youth without mentioning the parents and educators. One way to do that is by educating parents and community as a whole through education seminars and workshops," said Ujima Residential Facility Director Judith Bell.
The Education Symposium on April 16 will feature keynote speaker Dr. Steve Perry Founder and Principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Ujima representatives recently visited the school and were impressed with the teaching methods of the school, which caters to complex youth.
Therefore Dr. Perry was invited to visit the island and speak to, in particular, government officials, policy writers, educators as well as parents and the public at large.
During a welcome reception for Dr. Perry on Thursday, April 15 invited officials will have the opportunity to speak one on one with Dr. Perry. The Lieutenant Governor, Commissioners, Senators and representatives of the Education Department have all been invited to this opening reception.
Apart from Dr. Perry facilitating the symposium invited guest speakers include locals Literacy and Reading Specialist Patti Maier, Angela Dekker pioneer of Foundation Based Education and Susan Barnes-Pereira Holistic Life Coach and Motivational Speaker.
Visiting speaker Donna Drakeford Resource Teacher for the Washington, DC area schools will make a presentation on how the male and female brain processes information differently.
Tickets for the symposium priced at US $20 are on sale at all Kentucky Fried Chicken and Van Dorp locations. Seating is limited.
Presenting the cheque to Ujima Scotiabank's Imelda Joseph said the bank had hoped its contribution would make the symposium a success as the bank could think of no better way to impact the lives of young people than by improving their level of education.
