Phase 1 literacy project and Phase 2 Youth Advocacy Program in partnership with Massy Foundation Barbados Inc.
AUGUST 2024
SUMMER CAMPS
With Affinity Plus art walls and crayons were given so kids can explore their creative side
With Kooyman they were able learn about plants and grow thier own vegetables.
SEMINAR-HEALTHY YOU
UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES KEYNOTE
June 2024
KOOYMAN
Teaching kids about plants can be a fun and engaging experience.The program will let kids plant their own seeds in small pots or a garden and watch the seeds sprout and grow over time.
Marketing Director for Kooyman Barbados ,Charlene Mullins , presented the gift vouchers to the PGDFF Team of Anita Sundaram and Sushma Kini. These vouchers will be used to buy the supplies for the Summer Camp Program.
Summer Camp Kidz Art
Every year, almost 3500 children attend these free camps.
This could not have happened without the support of our sponsor Affinity Plus Credit Unions.
Incorporating coloring and art into the early development of children is essential for fostering a wide range of skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Helps develop fine motor skills, improving their ability to control hand movements, which is essential for writing and other tasks.
Art encourages children to use their imagination, which can boost their problem-solving skills .
It provides a safe outlet for children to express their emotions, helping them to understand and manage their feelings better.
And most of all it is so much fun !
Attending the ceremony were Director of Youth Affairs Mr Cleveston Hunte, Principal Youth Development officer Andrea Titus and the ProjectcTeam for the summer Camp.PGDFF was represented by Anita Sundaram and Sushma Kini.Mrs .Valerie Hope of Affinity Plus Credit Union represented the sponsors.
It ended with everyone getting to color and see how fun it can be.
BONNETS & BAYVILLE COMMUNITY CENTERS
Local author Mario Herbert also donated copies of his children's books to the libraries.
Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School
Cultivating a love for reading early in life can lead to lifelong learning habits.
Guests of PGDFF Caribbean The Optimist Club of Barbados,Bridgetown were represented by Director Mobola Aguda,VP &JOI initiative chair ,Jolicia Springer and member Bina Daswani.The club donated much needed books for the cause.
Mr. Adrian Blackman and Mrs. Yolanda Alleyne accepted the library on behalf of the school. Mr. Blackman said, "Right now the school is focusing on literacy and it is fantastic to get books to the children's liking."
World Blood Donor Day
Dr.Kandamaram Krishnamurthy ,Global Relief and Health Director.PGDFF Caribbean Inc..playing his part
MAY 2024
Library at Rockfield Community Center
This mini library is the eighth instalment of its kind after the community centre was closed for repairs for seven years.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith is hopeful there will be 20 more set up across the island but urges members of the community to donate books to the library.
He was speaking during the ‘Barbados is Blooming’ launch, a literacy project of the Prince Godwill D. Fomusoh Foundation Inc. and the Massy Foundation at the Rockfield Community Centre, St. Lucy.
Minister Griffith says he was also looking forward to seeing mini reading clubs and study halls created and expanded to all other locations.
Donation of books to Anne Hill School
APRIL 2024
Youth Advocacy Program Phase 2
Cyber Security and Internet Bullying
The initiative saw special speakers Arnal Goslin, Dr. Edith Fomuso, and Chris Burgess enlightening the youth on critical topics including Cyber Security, Social Media, and Internet Bullying.
The programme, which was held at the Barbados Community College, aims to empower young individuals with essential knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.
The presenters were joined by PGDFF Global Relief and Health Director, Dr. Kandamaran Krishnamurthy for a question and answer panel session at the end of the presentations.
Donations Made To New Little LIBRARY AT CLAPHAM COMMUNITY CENTER
Barbadian author, Dr. Zoanne Evans donated two of her books to the mini-library, noting that it brought back childhood memories to her.
She’s pledged to donate more books to the library and thanked the Community Development Department, the Massy Foundation and the Prince Godwill D Formusoh Foundation and, for partnering to make the initiative a reality for Barbados.
Another local author, Mario Herbert also donated some books to the library. Mr. Herbert specialises in children’s books focusing on things Barbadian and he’s hoping that the children enjoy them immensely.
Global Relief Director of the Prince Godwill D Formusoh Foundation, Dr Krishnamurthy Kandamaran says the Clapham mini-library is the eighth such installation at community centres across Barbados.
He says two more installations are earmarked for June before the Foundation embarks on phase two of the initiative which is the Literacy Project.
Library at Eden Lodge Community Center
Library at Kendal Community Center
Community Empowerment Minister, the Honourable, Charles Griffith wants to see the Mini-Libraries initiative replicated across Barbados. He made the comment whilst delivering remarks at Kendal in St John, where the latest “Little Library” was officially opened.
He contends that given its impact and magnitude, this should be a National Project, and not be limited to only ten community-based locations. Openly embracing the initiative, the Minister stated that more of them were necessary to propel young people forward and assist in expanding minds and in some cases, social and economic situations.
Minister Griffith, who is also the Member of Parliament for St. John, highlighted the importance of having the ‘Little Libraries’ within communities like Kendal, where persons would no longer have to travel distances to access library books. “This is much more than a mini-library, given that the books are coming to the community, this provides an opportunity for the youngsters to be able to see the world through books”, he added.
In thanking the Prince Godwill D. Fomusoh Foundation, coordinators of the initiative in partnership with Massy Foundation, Minister Griffith enthusiastically stated, “I really appreciate this, so on behalf of the government and the Ministry, I really embrace this initiative and more initiatives like this are necessary to propel our young people forward”. He lauded the efforts in partnering with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment to deliver initiatives such as this one, to improve literacy across the island.
The Community Empowerment Minister pledged that his Ministry would nurture the project to ensure maximum benefit for the Barbadian population. He also personally pledged to contribute books to the Kendall Library and other locations across Barbados.
Several children from the Kendal Community attended the installation of the Little Library, and witnessed Minister Griffith cutting the ribbon to officially unveil the project.
FEBRUARY 2024
visit to cdd
book reading
donation to bcc
Library installations
DECEMBER 2023
PAINT- A -THON AT MASSY SUPERCENTER
On display were 13 libraries, crafted by the woodworking class of the Barbados Community College, being painted by the volunteers from the Barbados Youth Corp, BCC, Massy Foundation and the PGDFF Team.
These free little libraries will be placed across the island at community centers, schools , and childcare board homes where children can take and read books.
The initiative was launched with the hope of rekindling a love for reading among the youth.
December 21st
PGDFF Spreading holiday cheer
Ms.Richards said that she is aware of the Free Little Libraries Project, and they have earmarked the cottages at the Nightengale Children's Village as a location in the new year to install a Free Little Library.
The PGDFF Caribbean literacy project is a collaboration with the Massy Foundation (Barbados) to give the children access to books in a free little library setup.
This project could not have been possible without the support of the Community Development Department and the students of the woodworking class of The Barbados Community College.
Dr.Kanda ended by reading a personal message from Prince Godwill, founder and president of the foundation:
"I want to wish you and your team Happy Holidays and keep doing the good work, and I am looking forward to working with you in the New Year."
BARBADOS NOVEMBER 2023
November 15th 2023
Massy Foundation Barbados Inc Director, Mrs. Dawn Layne said they were happy to partner once again with PGDFF ,to ignite the love of reading.It is essential for whether we are young people or older young people. Mrs Christina Johnson and Mrs Janelle Fletcher also of members of the Massy foundation were present.
Principal of Ann Hill, Mrs Esmelda Belle thanked all involved in the project for. remembering that institution and its students.
The libraries are being built by the students of the woodworking class at the Barbados Community College.
The ribbon was cut by Head Boy - Shaquan Bancroft and Head Girl- Jahzara Holder as teams from PGDFF Caribbean Inc,Massy Foundation (Barbados) Inc, Barbados Community College, Ann Hill School and Ministry of Education representatives looked on.
November 7 th 2023.
Launch at Parkinson Resource Center .
Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Hon. Davidson Ishmael, M.P announced that there will be similar libraries at various community centers throughout the island, with the aim to reach all sectors of the Barbadian population,” Minister Ishmael remarked.
He also added that the Ministry has conceptualized the project as a likely foundation for the formation and revival of reading clubs which will have the knock-on benefit of ensuring the sustainability of these mini-libraries. “Through its various agencies the Ministry commits to offer those reading clubs technical and financial support, and I am confident that our various partners who are with us today will pledge similar support,” he added. Minister Ishmael cut the ribbon to officially open the first Little Library, noting that its impact could be far reaching. When finished 15 mini-libraries will be established across Barbados.
Behind the scenes at BCC.
BARBADOS September 2023
The foundation promoted its mission and work in the region. A wine basket raffle and 50/50 raffle were given away in exchange for donations.
The BIU performed valuable health checks for attendees. BMI.
Glucose.
Blood Pressure .
The collaboration was a huge success.
BARBADOS JULY 2023
We are grateful to the partnership of the childcare board and local supporters who made this event successful.
BARBADOS MAY 2023
Parkinson Secondary School
We discussed the topic of importance of studying ,gave the kids gift bags, and answered all their eager questions on the Prince's travels. The kids were extremely enthusiastic and engaging.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL TEAM
Dr.Kandamaran Krishnamurthy
A highly motivated medical professional guided by a passion to engage various health communities to improve pediatric health outcomes locally, regionally, and globally. He is an ICU consultant, Associate lecturer at the University of West Indies and Executive member of several prestigious medical associations. He has won awards and recognition from The American college of critical care and the Fellow of Royal College of Pediatrics and Health ( UK ).
Sushma Kini
Sushma has thrived as an Executive Assistant, displaying a genuine passion for fostering a positive impact on the community. Her dedication to giving back to society is evident, showcasing sincere enthusiasm to create a meaningful influence within the community.
RHEA GREENIDGE
Rhea has spent years in finance and client relations internationally at a high standard acquiring diverse professional skills. She is passionate about providing a positive impact in the communities we serve and is highly motivated to enact meaningful changes.