Deed of Contribution Signing Ceremony
Remarks by Chair of Fundraising Subcommittee
Shea Alexander
Thursday 20th June 2024
Good afternoon everyone!
On behalf of the Chairman and board of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency, and as the fundraising subcommittee’s chair, it is my distinct pleasure to express our immense gratitude for the continued partnership and community mindedness of Maples Group, one of our longest standing and most generous partners.
Since the RDA’s inception, Maples Group BVI has made it abundantly clear that their commitment to the community of the Virgin Islands, particularly to our children and their holistic development carries real weight.
Maples has contributed over $160,000 in value to a range of RDA facilitated initiatives which have exponentially enriched hundreds, if not thousands of students within our Territory. Their support has been critical to projects and initiatives which included the construction of music classrooms and the procurement of an exhaustive supply of musical instruments for the Elmore Stoutt High School.
The music programme at our Territory’s most populous learning institution will stand for generations as a testament to the incredible value that community-minded, generous corporate giants can return to the environments within which they do business.
I just wanted to add a bit of a personal note here. In another similarly intentioned capacity, I had the privilege of meeting Maples’ former MP Richard and I was beyond impressed with his truly people-centric spirit and sense of corporate responsibility. I am so pleased that Maples as a firm shows today that this richness of being permeates throughout their ethos as a team and brand. I look forward to getting to know Mr. McKenzie and fostering a relationship which continues to benefit the Virgin Islands and its youth.
Today, Maples’ partnership with the RDA towards improving our educational infrastructure, facilities and resources continues, with the signing of a Deed of Contribution of $70,000 towards outfitting the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre currently being constructed here in Road Town. The Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, the Territory’s only public school specialised in catering to needs of the differently abled, has been without a dedicated, purpose-built home since 2017’s storms.
We are pleased to report that construction of the purpose-built school is steadily progressing, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter 2025. It is vital that the completed physical structure is outfitted with furnishings, equipment and tools to foster the holistic learning and development of our students. The $70,000 committed today will go a significant way in ensuring the vision for inclusive education, as articulated by our Honourable Minister of Education, becomes a reality. Maples’ contribution today will outfit the designed therapy and sensory rooms of the school, providing inclusive, empowering education to our children.
Fundraising is one of the three main mandates of the RDA. In pursuit of this mandate, since 2018, the RDA has raised over $1.25 million from private and non-governmental sector partners. These contributions have had impacts on education, recreation, housing and debris management in our Territory. Contributions from our partners have meant improved teaching and learning conditions at the Elmore Stoutt High School, Bregado Flax Educational Centre, and the Jost Van Dyke Primary, a Multipurpose Educational Facility. These contributions have meant rehabilitated recreational facilities at the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds, the Anthonie “Jeffery” Caines Sports Arena on Virgin Gorda, and the Anegada Recreation Facility. In people terms – that is, the terms that matter – these contributions have meant over 1800 children in improved learning conditions, 8 families in better living conditions, dedicated spaces for community sporting events, gatherings and play, and a safer environment through clearance of dangerous debris in the immediate aftermath of the storms. In less numerical terms, this means a community which has learned to understand success as making your mark on those around you; lending your strength to building resilience, showing compassion, and being selfless.
We recognise the importance of our fundraising pursuit, as funds raised to supplement Government contributions demonstrate the private sector’s interest and commitment to our Territory’s development. We thank Maples Group and all of our partners such as Unite BVI for their contributions to the Virgin Islands in partnership with the RDA, and look forward to new and continued partnerships, recognising that together we can indeed build the BVI stronger, smarter, greener and better.
I end today with a challenge for Maples many contemporaries in the financial services industry. In addition to their industry leading efforts, they have once again proven their capacity to lead in the ways that truly count.
I thank you.
