In a step towards fostering a love for reading in the formative years, Hands Across the Sea, in collaboration with the Mustique Charitable Foundation, has officially launched a new initiative dubbed “The Early Pages Programme".

Under the Early Pages Programme, twenty (20) preschools have received age-appropriate, colourful, and engaging books designed to spark curiosity and literacy skills in our country’s youngest learners. This initiative includes seventeen (17) Government-owned and three (3) privately-owned centres, and is complementary to the organization’s usual donation of literacy resources to primary and secondary schools.

In addition to the preschools, fourteen (14) schools; twelve (12) primary and two (2) secondary received literacy resources to support remediation, rejuvenate their existing libraries, and restart libraries that were impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

This year’s donation of more than 5,000 brand-new books, kits, and learning materials provides approximately two thousand, six hundred students (2600) with books and library supplies, a value of over USD $40,000. A total of over one hundred and forty five thousand books (145,000) have been donated by Hands Across the Sea in its eighteen (18) years of partnership in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

During a handing over ceremony on Friday, 30th January, 2026, at the National Public Library; Literacy Link, Mrs. Enna Bullock, stressed the importance of early literacy; expressing that Hands Across the Sea wants preschoolers to receive the treasures found in libraries and literacy initiatives in preparation for Kindergarten. She highlighted that the Early Pages Programme complements the Ministry’s existing early childhood curriculum as it aims to integrate literacy as an explicit part of the preschool environment adding that investing in early childhood literacy has long term returns, unlocking opportunity for independence, and provides a voice for students.

Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack, acknowledged the important role that Hands Across the Sea has played in the development of literacy in our schools over the years, bearing witness to its impact, when she served as principal of the Buccament Bay Secondary School. She affirmed that the Early Pages Programme and by extension the donation of books, will support safe, engaging and literacy rich spaces where our little ones can explore language, imagination and meaning, re-emphazing that literacy development begins long before a child enters primary schools, laying the foundation for life-long learning. Mrs. Martin-Jack also expressed appreciation to Hands Across the Sea for their continued partnership with the Ministry.

Also expressing appreciation was Ms. Jane Farrell - Education Officer in the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Department, who confirmed their excitement of being included in this year's initiative. She reiterated that the Early Pages Programme is timely and will foster a genuine love for reading.

Ms. Rochelle Tannis - Supervisor of the Bequia Anglican Early Childhood Centre and Mrs. Joy Haynes, principal of the Barrouallie Government School, also expressed thanks as beneficiaries of the donations.

The ceremony was held under the theme, “Creating a Brighter Pathway for Literacy One Book at a Time.”

SOURCE: Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information