The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) Committee, in collaboration with the VM Foundation, on Tuesday (March 1) handed over $750,000 to the Clifton Boy’s Home towards its Education Intervention Project, aimed at helping wards experiencing academic decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds, handed over during a ceremony at the VM Group’s Half-Way Tree corporate office, were raised through offerings at the 42nd staging of the NLPB, as well as through a donation by the VM Foundation. The NLPB was hosted on January 20 under the theme: ‘Pressing Forward in Faith, Hope and Love’.
Courtney Campbell, CEO, VM Group, said: “I am moved by the belief that these young men who benefit from the Clifton Boys’ Home Education Intervention Project will sometime in the future be in a position to themselves lend assistance to similarly vulnerable but absolutely worthy young men,” he said.
He also announced that the VM Foundation volunteers will be supporting the Home on a Labour Day project, as part of a VM tradition to give back to NLPB beneficiaries on Labour Day.
Samantha Charles, CEO of the VM Foundation, said that the project aligns with the Foundation’s main area of focus – youth empowerment. She commended the Home for conceptualizing the project, which aims to have a transformative impact on the boys.
“We look forward to how this initiative will improve the lives of the boys at the home, as we ensure they receive the resources that they need to excel academically and become productive citizens of the nation, while fulfilling their own dreams,” she said.
Rev. Sam McCook, Chairman of the NLPB Committee, meanwhile, said it was a privilege to be able to give back to a worthy institution, which has faithfully given service over many years, making a lasting contribution to the society.
Vincent Guthrie, Chairman of the Home, expressed gratitude to the NLPB Committee and the VM Foundation, for identifying the Home as a recipient and making the donation. He said the Home’s Education Intervention Project came about after an assessment was conducted of the wards, which showed a decline in performance since the disruption of school caused by the pandemic.
He said the funds donated will serve to acquire specialists to help the youngsters improve academically and navigate the requirements of their educational development. He added that it will also be used to integrate existing technological and library resources and acquire internet connection.
The Clifton Boys’ Home has been in existence since 1961 and currently houses 20 boys. In 2017, the Home was destroyed by fire but has since received a new facility through donations from private and non-profit organizations.