Bridge of Hope get school supplies

The children, from preschool to secondary school age, received the books, book bags and stationary they need to begin the new school term next month. The special visit was arranged to present the school supplies bought from proceeds raised at the 2016 edition of Bravo’s 47 fund-raiser fete, which was held on August 14 at Estate 101 in Maraval in collaboration with the blink|bmobile.

Lorraine Steele, TSTT ’s senior manager, commercial marketing, congratulated Anne-Marie Morrison for the great work the home was doing. “It is gratifying to see the great effort undertaken for improving the lives of the children and we are proud to be a part of this important work. The blink|bmobile Book Buddies Programme was established eight years ago to encourage a love of reading and for education among our nation’s children,” Steele said in a media release from TSTT . “Since its launch, our book buddies drive has assisted over 1,000 youths from children’s homes across TT by providing them with items required for their education and we will continue to provide as much support as we can,” Steele said.

She also commended Bravo for his collaboration and noted: “Dwayne Bravo is a great role model who shares our desire to support the development of our nation’s youth.” Administrator, Anne-Marie Morrison explained “Many of the children do not perform at the level they should for their age or stage of life. We use several types of interventions to address these issues including academic, speech and neurodevelopment. Some of our kids have progressed to very good high schools, universities and went onto successful careers.” Referring specifically to the academic care of the youngsters, Morrison shared that ten of them will be attending school for the first time and said: “Our children love to learn and are very excited to be going to school in the upcoming term. We rely on the support of organisations for financial assistance to operate and blink|bmobile has been doing this with us for a number of years.

We are very grateful because blink|bmobile is giving every child here the opportunity to go to school and to develop into well-balanced, successful individuals in our society.” Speaking about Bravo, Morrison added: “Dwayne Bravo is indeed a champion and is very generous. He has made himself into a success story and by donating these school supplies he has contributed to many more success stories.” The Bridge of Hope Children’s Home takes in abused, abandoned and orphaned children from newborns and up. The home has the capacity for 32 kids but has 22 currently, and works with its young charges to reintegrate them back into the community and their families, if possible.

The children were treated to an afternoon of fun with Bravo, who read books, played games and danced to a selection of songs with them. Bravo also presented a mini cricket bat autographed by the “Champion” himself to each child.

To the delight of the youngsters, the visit ended with Bravo doing the “Champion” dance with the children and their care givers.