ON Friday, August 16, 2019, the Castries Lions Club, in honouring their commitment to support youth development and education, presented school supplies and bursaries to a number of underprivileged students to help alleviate the cost of purchasing school supplies by parents or guardians at the beginning of the new school year. This was done in collaboration with partners and friends of the lions including Medical Air Services Association (MASA).
Four recipients of school supplies were selected by their principals and were from the Marchand Combined School, Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School and the Gros Islet Primary School. One recipient of school supplies was selected by the St Lucia Blind Welfare Association, with whom the club has a long-term partnership in executing the annual Kids In Sight project. The final recipient of School supplies was selected by the Faces of Cancer. This child is one who has been impacted by cancer. The Castries Lions were happy to make one small contribution to her continued fight to live a full life!
Presentations of one-time bursaries of $500 each were made to two students attending the Babonneau Secondary School and the Ciceron Secondary School.
According to Lesley Ann Modeste, Service Chairperson, “The Castries Lions Club and Lions Club International as an organization have Youth Development as one of their core areas of focus. The Castries Lions Club believes in the development and future of young people in our society and it is a pleasure to make these presentations to persons who are deserving.” President Mary Popo also reinforced one of the club’s main beliefs that wherever there is a need, the Castries Lions will avail themselves to help satisfy that need by helping, serving and making a difference.
In addition to the distribution of five bursaries and school supplies, the club also presented seven packages of clothing items to Helen Charles, Executive Director of Help Age Saint Lucia for distribution to needy clients of her organization. The St Lucia United Kingdom Association donated the clothing items to the club.
Castries Lions Club would like to express appreciation to their many partners, Johanne Lawrence, MASA, and the Saint Lucia United Kingdom Association for their contributions. They are also grateful for the assistance from The Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association, Faces of Cancer and the many Principals who identified the students.
In addition to educational bursaries, the club conducts a variety of projects including feeding the homeless, creating of awareness in the areas of environment and climate change, cancer, diabetes, drug abuse and vision, to name a few. The Club remains true to their motto “We Serve.”