Diaspora group seeks smoother donations to schools

The Barbados Association of Southern California is seeking smoother ways for American companies and organisations to donate directly to schools, complaining of logistical challenges preventing the association from providing supplies.

President Gregory Chase made the appeal on Wednesday during a prize-giving ceremony at St Philip Primary School in Church Village, where past student Selwyn Holder rewarded students and teachers following the school’s outstanding performance in the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination.

Chase said: “The Barbados association [of Southern California] has supported St Philip Primary School for several years. First, we tried providing supplies, and the logistics became prohibitive.” He explained that the association eventually changed its approach: “Then we decided that we would better serve the school by providing assistance with… the Great Start breakfast programme. And that has worked out with the help of the Lions Club.”