21st January 2010
ECFH Continues to Push Adult Literacy

The month of January is back to school for hundreds of primary, secondary and tertiary students. But it’s also back to school for another group of students whom we sometimes overlook but should not, due to their courage and discipline—our adult learners. Recently, the East Caribbean Financial Holding Company (ECFH), made its annual donation of $10,000.00 to the National Enrichment Learning Programme (NELP). Administered under the Ministry of Education and Culture, NELP coordinates the island’s adult literacy programmes. A team from ECFH and Education Officer assigned to NELP, Mrs. Lucy Joseph, just visited one of the programmes in Jacmel, Anse-la-Raye where the students have already started classes.
Approximately 35 adult learners are registered at the Jacmel centre and that programme’s coordinator, Mrs. Virginia Cherubin-Charles, was pleased with how it was progressing. She noted that the students were “bringing others with them and wanted to discuss topical issues” such as metrication. The students were enthusiastic about being in the classroom and many talked about how finally being able to read and write had transformed their everyday lives. Some were now able to help their children with homework while others could now transact business at the bank without assistance.
The Jacmel centre has 3 dedicated facilitators who teach the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic in addition to taking students on educational tours and social outings. NELP has approximately twelve adult learning centres four of which are sponsored by ECFH.