Five local organisations get first FCCA’s Owen Arthur Scholarships

Five local non-profit organisations have been awarded the inaugural Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Member Lines’ Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund.

Those awarded US$5 000 (BDS$10 000) each were Unborn Justice, The SAVE Foundation, The Ashley Lashley Foundation, Lifelong Skills Training Inc., and Young Nature Conservationist Association.

The US$25 000 (BDS$50 000) Scholarship Fund, named in honour of the former Prime Minister of Barbados, the late Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, is an initiative of the FCCA’s Foundation charitable arm. It is intended to support the educational efforts of future generations throughout the Caribbean and honour Professor Arthur’s memory.

Speaking during the presentation on Wednesday, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill noted that it was a proud moment for Barbados, and for the first cohort who will benefit from the Scholarship Fund.

He thanked the FCCA for choosing Barbados to be the first recipient.

Gooding-Edghill said: “The introduction of this scholarship reflects the close relationship cultivated between Barbados and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, and we’re humbled to have been chosen as the first Caribbean destination recipients. I must say that it is heartening to celebrate Mr Arthur’s legacy as a very strong Barbadian leader who played such an instrumental role in developing the country’s cruise industry partnerships….

“I take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to the FCCA’s team and their own CEO, Michele Page, who worked closely with Mr Arthur over the years. We appreciate their commitment to spearheading initiatives, which aid in enhancing the welfare of the youth and empowering disenfranchised groups throughout Barbados and the region.”

Also attending the presentation ceremony was Arthur’s widow, Julie Arthur, who also served as one of the judges determining the scholarship awardees.

She extended congratulations to the scholarship fund recipients, noting that it was a significant achievement for them, having had their organisations “cemented in history’s page in being chosen to chart a new legacy and a path for Owen’s life work”.

She thanked Minister Gooding-Edghill, staff at the ministry, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the panel of judges, and especially the FCCA, for honouring her late husband by creating the scholarship fund.

“The entire Arthur family expresses heartful thanks to Michele Page, chief executive officer, the board of directors and the executive of the FCCA Foundation for, in a tangible way, recognising and memorialising the work my late husband would have done to advance the cruise industry and his commitment to investing in our young people in honouring him with this scholarship fund,” Arthur said.

She encouraged the awardees, as they pursued their various related endeavours, to always maintain the high standards for which her late husband was known and respected, and wished them success in their ventures.

Paige shared her thoughts about the Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund: “To all my friends in Barbados, I want to remind you, Owen Arthur was a very, very special man and he was my friend. We are so honoured that we are able to put into place this year the Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund. As you know, the children are our lifeline; they’re our future; that’s why it is so important that we do this to honour Owen Arthur.”