BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A dream, birthed by Principal of the Basseterre High School Urlene Roberts, for the establishment of a steel orchestra is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to sponsorship by corporate entity PDV St. Kitts Nevis Ltd. (Petro Caribe).
Late last week, at the establishment’s Basseterre office, a brief handing-over ceremony was held during which a US$21 000 sponsorship package was handed over by a representative of PVD to a representative of the learning institution.
PVD’s Social Project Coordinator Gallio Gumbs, in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, explained the process through which BHS became the recipient of the sponsorship and noted that she is pleased with the project selection.
“Seeing that our company stands for development, whether social, educational, health, sports or environmental, we are grateful and honoured that we made a dream come true for an institution that has been in existence for 50-plus years, and I am grateful that I presented my proposal and ideas to the Basseterre High School and Mrs. Roberts gave me her proposals of certain projects that she wanted to bring to fruition and I took them and I came back to my manager. He loved the idea of a steel band orchestra and he spoke to his superior and made sure that it was something that would be worth endorsing.
“It was an endorsement made by the company, PDV St. Kitts Ltd., to enhance the development of the students of Basseterre High School and students who will be a part of that school in the near future…As I stand here today, I am honestly grateful because that was my high school and I am glad that I made their dream come true along with PDV St. Kitts Nevis Ltd.”
Receiving the package on behalf of the Basseterre High School, Vice Principal Carlene Morton thanked PVD for its generous donation and noted that the orchestra would target at-risk youths.
“The pleasure is mine…on behalf of Mrs. Urlene Bloice-Roberts, Principal of the BHS, the entire staff and student body of our beloved institution, to say sincere and heart-felt thanks to PDV St. Kitts Nevis Energy Ltd. for so graciously consenting to fund this very worthwhile initiative. This sterling and timely contribution of EC$56 565 will be used to purchase steel pans and uniforms for the BHS Sugar Styx Steel Orchestra, as well as a variety of wind instruments for the BHS Symphony Band.
“The initial plan is to start with at least 25 at-risk students - 13 boys and 12 girls - and through the use of music, the pan and the other instruments to help our students to hone and develop certain life skills and other character traits. The emphasis these days is on extra-curricular activities and after-school programmes through which we can engage our young people and keep them occupied in meaningful activities…and these instruments are certainly a means to that end.
According to Morton, as early as September 2010, purchasing of the instruments and uniforms is expected to begin.
