The
Bahamas National Committee (BNC) of United World College (UWC) is
launching its first formal fundraising campaign in aid of their
Scholar-Ambassador’s Scholarship Fund as they approach the close of
their 40th year of service to students of The Bahamas. Entitled “The Spirit of The Bahamas”
this unique fundraising event, which will be held under the
distinguished patronage of the Governor General, Sir Arthur Foulkes and
Lady Foulkes, will be officially launched on Friday, the 22nd of March
at 6:30 pm at Doongalik Studios on historic Village Road.
The
public is invited to join the UWC National Committee along with UWC
alumni, their parents and supporters for an evening of ‘fun for the
fund’! Patrons are encouraged to come casually dressed, prepared to be
delightfully entertained by Bahamian bands, singers, and entertainers,
scrumptiously fed with delicious Bahamian cuisine, and to participate in
an evening of activities, games, dancing, prizes and surprises in true
‘down home’ Bahamian fashion, because the evening promises to be a
lively one!
The
United World College programme is an educational organization that was
formed 50 years ago to offer high school students placements within 12
UWC colleges in 12 countries around the world in order to pursue a two
year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The IB is one of the most
well regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the
world and as such is accepted by the world’s most selective
universities. All United World Colleges share the UWC Mission of “making
education a force to unite, people, nations and cultures for peace and a
sustainable future”. Students who attend a UWC therefore have an
amazing opportunity to participate in a positive, life-changing academic
experience.
To
date the BNC, which consists of 14 dedicated volunteers (7 of whom are
alumni of the programme) has provided over 90 scholarships for Bahamian
students to attend UWCs abroad. For the first thirty–six years of the
BNC’s history one or two scholarships per year were funded through the
kind assistance of donors. In the last four years scholarships and
placements increased to four to five per year thanks to a generous grant
from The Cable Cares Foundation, the substantial support provided by
The Ministry of Education, and the sound management of the BNC’s
finances.
The
Committee’s ability to continue at this level, however, has been
severely dampened due to the international economic conditions which
have reduced the UWC’s scholarship offerings to The Bahamas. The need
for the BNC to raise additional funds has become crucial and “The Spirit
of The Bahamas” will be the BNC’s inaugural fund raising event.
Tickets are now available at Doongalik Studios, #20 Village Road and the public can visit the web site for more information.
