Territorial Representative, Hon. Myron Walwyn's youth committee, Youth for Walwyn, is spearheading a Back to School Assistance Programme for parents across the to help purchase school supplies.
Some 100 vouchers in the amount of $50 each will be given out through the programme, which started yesterday, August 17 at the J & C Department Store.
The vouchers are redeemable at local school supply stores, J&C Department Store, National Educational Services and Bolo's Department Store.
Xavyrna Samuels-Fahie, member of Youth for Walwyn Committee said that the group started out when Hon. Walwyn was then candidate Walwyn in early 2011 and from the start he has always challenged the members to be involved in the community and find ways to help solve the problems.
"Knowing how hard it can be for many parents these days, especially single parents, and keeping in mind that same challenge Hon. Walwyn left with us, we decided to raise funds to offer assistance to those parents. Our group will continue to support any initiative that is centered around young people and we feel there is no better initiative at this moment than helping our youth be prepared to learn," Samuels-Fahie pointed out.
She explained that the initial funds for the vouchers were raised by Youth for Walwyn and Hon. Walwyn's wider territorial committee. Hon. Walwyn, she said, then matched the funds raised with his personal funds to enable some $5000 worth of vouchers for school supplies.
"We definitely look forward to more activities to support our community throughout the year," Samuels-Fahie stated.
The Group has been involved in a shoreline clean up, a family fun day, school donations and contributions towards graduates that were outstanding in both the 2011 and 2012 graduation season.
Hon. Walwyn was on hand to witness the first release of vouchers and he said that it was his pleasure to support `my Youth Committee on this initiative´.
"They are a group of young people that supported me through elections and in this state of governance they remain committed to working to improve the circumstances of all people in the Virgin Islands. I cannot say how much I continue to be proud of them. Though elections was over last year, they kept at it, meeting regularly, raising funds and making donations to graduates on all of our islands this past June and July. They continue to spearhead projects like this one and share their ideas and concerns about youth issues in the Virgin Islands," Hon. Walwyn stated.
He said that the group is not afraid to give constructive criticism and that tells that their commitment is really to improve the Virgin Islands.
"I think that is why they will continue to work hard for the improvement of these islands that we all love so much," Hon. Walwyn stated.
The group has also made efforts to ensure the voucher programme reaches the Sister Islands through its members residing on Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.
