The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site decreased the number of events held face-to-face for the past two years in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Lucia. Simultaneously, students have been faced with financial hurdles as many have suffered loss of employment or decrease in income. While several initiatives have been put in place to assist such students, like the UWI Alumni Association’s Social Mediathon held in July, 2022 and other available scholarship/endowment funds, it was incumbent on our part to find other ways in which we can assist our students and the community at large.
This summer, The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site in collaboration with Bethel Tabernacle embarked on a Summer Book Exchange initiative to soften the financial blow of purchasing school books and supplies. Various groups of UWI students, alumni and staff contributed to the book exchange; this also served as a marketing opportunity as the flyers with the various courses and programmes offered by The UWI Open Campus were available to participants. Local business M & C drugstore donated school supplies (erasers, colouring books, markers, pens etc) to help compliment the drive. A.L. Dawn French, local Author and past student of the Creative Writing programme offered at The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site also donated copies of her recently published book, Formidable Fleur. Over 150 school books were exchanged during the two 2-day events on 12 – 13th and 19th – 20th August, 2022.
Students, VP of the local Guild Chapter and a representative of the UWI Alumni Association were also present to provide assistance at the Summer Book Exchange.
UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia and Bethel Tabernacle Summer Book Exchange - Parent receives Formidable Fleur and school books
UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia and Bethel Tabernacle Summer Book Exchange - UWI Alumni Exec and Student assists parent in finding books on the book list.
UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia and Bethel Tabernacle Summer Book Exchange - VP of Local Student Guild Chapter Provides Assistance
