The AFUWI has continued to fully embrace the Triple A Strategy of The UWI since its inception by the institution. In so doing, our attention remained focused on fundraising for the scholarship program for students in dire financial need. The 23rd Annual Legacy Awards Gala, our major fundraising vehicle, was held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. It was a stellar affair which had a star-studded list of guests and honorees, including the Prime Minister of St Lucia, Hon. Allan Chastenet, celebrated actress and activist Ms. Lorraine Toussaint, former New York State Governor, Hon. David Patterson, media personalities Angela Yee, Janell Snowden, Maurice DuBois, entertainment influencers and artists Doug E Fresh, Paxton Baker, Freddie Jackson, New York State ‘political royalties' like Charlie Rangel and Dr. Una Clarke. Alumnus Shaneil Salmon and student Sanica Blair proudly represented The UWI while sincerely thanking the donors for their support.
With a firm belief that education is the pathway to progress for emerging market economies of small island developing nations like the Caribbean region, the Foundation advocates the notion that access to higher education should be a right for all who aspire, are eligible and are capable. On the heels of a successful Gala event, without much warning, life as we knew it was upended because of the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus.
As the global community continues to struggle with this pandemic and other economic, social and political issues, the financial challenges have taken on greater significance for impoverished students at The UWI. Without aid their ability to break the bondage of generational poverty appears even more remote and unattainable. For this reason, the Foundation has renewed its commitment to support the aspirations and hopes of these talented young men and women who should not be denied access to higher education because of circumstances beyond their control. Now more than ever, they are often forced to choose between paying tuition and acquiring basic needs for their survival.
This new normal requires a greater degree of intimacy with our current donors and heightened awareness about new donor prospects to grow the support base and deliver on our mission objectives. With remote learning becoming a way of life for students on the campuses, it became necessary for us to adopt and adapt to this environment. It required agility in our fundraising practices as we could no longer rely on the traditional methods of event-driven fundraisers and had to pivot to utilize new approaches to gain donor support. Through collaboration with Alumni Chapters of Washington DC, New York, and Florida, we were able to support the Laptop and Tablet Campaign initiated by The UWI AA Jamaica Chapter for needy students at the Mona Campus. Fifty Lenovo Laptops were donated to the Mona Campus from funds raised from an online campaign. Ten units were also acquired for the other satellite sites in the Open Campus countries in the region. Thanks, must be extended to our major sponsor Caribbean Airlines who generously donated cargo space for air transportation of the equipment.
Other highlights of the year included activities hosted in the digital space:
Of special note, the Foundation was at last undertaking a modernization and automation exercise for its donor registry. A database conversion from primary source (paper files and folders) was initiated. This had a footprint of information covering the past five years of activities. The go-live date was set for 2021.
As we sought to improve our outreach into the Caribbean Diaspora in the New York tri-state area, we partnered with Groovin' Radio, WVIP 93.5FM, one of the fastest growing radio programs in the space to share information about virology, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on people in the Caribbean and those of Caribbean heritage here in the USA, and to address concerns about the efficacy of the newly developed vaccines and healthy lifestyle practices. The series featured subject matter experts from The UWI: Dr. Sandra Betty Jackson, PVC Prof. Clive Landis and Dr. Ian Boxill. Our heartfelt thanks to the program host Mr. Clement Hume and the Radio Station for accommodating the segment which resonated well with their listening audience resulting in repeat appearances by Dr. Betty Jackson and Prof. Clive Landis.
New and improved knowledge of the COVID-19 virus, the discovery and distribution of several different types of vaccines designed to combat this dreaded scourge, conversations and advocacy on salient issues of race, equal justice, voting rights, diversity, inclusion, economic devastation, loss of life of family and friends are some of the things that have consumed our lives in the past year. With 2020 behind us, we approach 2021 with new hopes and dreams, determined and dedicated to play our part in contributing to the prosperity of the peoples of the Caribbean and its diaspora in the USA.
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The University of the West Indies
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