51 grads get certificates

The Cotton Tree Foundation (CTF) recently celebrated another milestone with the presentation of certificate to participants of the Information Communi-cation and Technology and Family Literacy Vocational programmes at its centre in St Ann’s.

The Foundation, a non-profit charitable Trust, was established in 1993 for the benefits of disenfranchised residents of Belmont, East Dry River, St Ann’s, Cascade and environs. In all, 51 participants received certificates. The largest group of awardees consisted of 27 people who participated in the Computer Literacy for Beginners programme. British Gas sponsored 12 of those students who reside along the North Coast.

Among those presenting certificates were Jacqueline Quamina, General Manager, Legal and Corporate Affairs/Corporate Secretary of Republic Bank; Jerry Fullerton of the US Embassy; Ali Khan, General Manager of Hilton Trinidad and Phyllis Borde from the National Lotteries Control Board. Through Republic Bank’s community development thrust, the bank continues to support the social outreach and functional literacy programmes of the Cotton Tree foundation. Certificates of participation were also presented to five students who completed the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Intermediate programme.

These students will be sitting the MOS online exams at the Centre and will receive their MOS certificates directly from Microsoft. Certificates were also awarded to those who participated in vocational courses such as cake decorating, catering, clothing and textiles. Presentations were also made to five members of the Home Work Club who successfully passed the SEA exam for seven-year schools. Speaking from a sponsor’s perspective, Borde said NLCB viewed its support as an “investment in the human capital of our nation.” Lydia Franco, CTF Administrator made a heartened plea for volunteers or stipend workers to assist in the education and ITC programmes. She also called on parents to get more involved in their children’s activities especially when they come to the CTF’s Home Work Club.