It is hoped that in time, the Elliott and Loretta Belgrave Scholarship Trust, will not only be able to provide financial support to assist young Barbadians achieve their educational dreams, but it will provide avenues for research, training and mentorship as well.
That’s according to Trustee of the charity and daughter of Sir Elliott and Lady Belgrave, Susan Belgrave-Matheson. She made the comments while delivering an address on Saturday night at the fundraising gala for the newly launched Elliott and Loretta Belgrave Scholarship Trust, held on the grounds of Government House.
She told the 350 persons gathered, including her parents; Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart; Members of both Houses of Parliament and the who’s who of public and private sectors, that success in life depends on attitude and opportunity, that one of the goals of the Trust is to open up opportunities for people who may struggle to put themselves on the right path. Moreover, Belgrave-Matheson, noting that striving for good education has been a cornerstone of Barbadian culture; which she suggested should never be lost; took the opportunity to urge parents, teachers and role models to do all within their power to assist the youth of this country to achieve and excel.
“It seems to me that success in life depends on attitude and opportunity… It all starts with aspiration and hard work and having what educators call a growth mindset. If you work hard enough you can master maths and science, so we need to instil an appetite for success and a sense of self belief in the ability to succeed, in the face of what can seem to be very difficult odds,” she said.
She made the point while noting that a sound education allowed her father to progress in life, and that she said, is what they hope to achieve for other young people through the work of the Trust.
“We hope that we are adding to the collective work of the Barbadian community in nurturing our young people. It is not the first and we certainly hope it won’t be the last such charity here, but here there are all interlocking networks of support.
Sometimes it takes a community to raise a child,” she explained.
The Trustee added that they are also hopeful that after their studies the youth will not only have assimilated knowledge, but will be prepared for the global economy in which they will operate and also be able to think critically of their role in it. Her remarks came as she pointed to the importance of countries preparing their citizens for the future which will feature increased automation and in which, she warned, there will possibly be no such thing as a job for life.
“Some of these jobs will not currently exist but we hope our youngsters will be prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead,” she stated. (JRT)