Give back programme launched at BCC

Local students are being reminded that they have an important responsibility to give back to society.

This reminder from Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw came as she gave brief remarks at Friday’s launch of the Giveback Programme at the Barbados Community College. The programme, provides for undergraduate students from a majority of the tertiary schools on the island, to offer voluntary services to several public and private companies on the island.

Minister Bradshaw said that with Government investing large sums of money each year in educating people on the island, it was only fair that students volunteer their skills during some of their downtime, in order to push the country forward.

“We recognize that we just couldn’t be a Government that gave a handout, and in turn try to beat into you a sense of responsibility. We recognize that we had to inspire you to join with us in understanding how important education and educational opportunities are, but equally that you understand as well that this is not something that we are just trying to get you to do because we put aside funds to pay for [education]. This is something that is really who we are as a people.

“We perhaps have moved away a lot from that sense of civic responsibility and giving back in communities. Barbados has changed so much over the course of the last few decades that people tend to focus more on themselves. They tend to focus more on their families, on their individual wants and needs, as opposed to looking at society as a collective. So we wanted to make sure that through this programme, we inspire you as students to start to think about ways from now, that you can be able to create a Barbados that you want to live in,” she said.

Principal of BCC Annette Alleyne said it was important for students to engage in voluntarism as it helps develop their work ethic for future employment.

“I want you to embrace the spirit of voluntarism and giving back. Very often, voluntarism comes without thanks, appreciation or reward. You keep going, because you recognize that the task is bigger than you are and that the vision and the purpose of the institution or organisation, supersedes personal interest. Sometimes the knowledge that you are serving a high purpose is just enough,” she added.

There are 236 BCC Students currently in the programme, and as of December 4 2020, 2,740 registered students had applied and are awaiting their placement at companies around the island. So far 101 organisations have been approved for the project, with many more showing interesting in being a part of the process. (SB)