In the Community

Akera Walcott, a student of St. Christopher Primary School, unknowingly brought winning attention to her school when she ‘dressed up’ as a Sol service station attendant during her school’s “Dignity in Work” Open Day activity in March. The occurrence led to a significant in-kind donation from Sol, the Caribbean’s leading provider of energy solutions, through its Corporate Sports & Social Club. The donation of over 70 books to St. Christopher School library aims to support the school’s ongoing literacy programme.

Speaking about the unexpected donation, St. Christopher’s Prinicipal Mrs. Sargeant-Speede lauded Sol for taking the initiative to lend support not only to the school’s literacy focus but also to the development of education on the island.

 “Sol came to our school as visitors, and left as friends,” said Sargeant-Speede. “We at St. Christopher would like to thank Sol for this book donation. We are especially pleased to say this will be a boost for our library and our revised literacy programme. It will improve our capacity to provide our students and teachers with the reading materials needed to enhance their work.”

Sol representatives first heard of Akera and St. Christopher’s “Dignity in Work” programme through a special television broadcast featuring the school’s Open Day activities. In addition, the broadcast highlighted the school’s “renewed focus” on literacy and its development of an integrated approach to teaching and learning to communicate through the written and spoken word. Recognising the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the educational development of the school’s students, Gale Weithers, who holds dual positions of Vice President/PRO of the Sol Corporate Sports & Social Club and Sol Retail Programmes Manager, rallied the Club to make the much-need donation.

“We are very happy to be in a position to support St. Christopher” said Weithers. “Their efforts for instilling respect and dignity for work, as the foundation for extraordinary customer service, in pupils at this early stage of their development is notable. Of course, the donation is also in line with the Club’s community outreach efforts and our company’s commitment to youth and holistic educational development in Barbados and the region. Thanks again to young Akera and her teachers for giving Sol the opportunity to make this meaningful contribution.”

President of the club and Regional IT Manager Earl Mayers also noted that Sol’s Corporate Sports & Social Club will continue to contribute as much as possible to educational programmes which add significant value to the educational development of local youth. The Caribbean-owned company is currently celebrating ten years of servicing individuals, families, businesses and government organisations throughout the region.