Port of Spain, Trinidad—Regional financial services entity Sagicor facilitated a motivational and vision boarding exercise with 24 students from standards three to five, at Piparo Presbyterian Primary School, its 2022/2023 Adopt-A-School partner, with the support of vision board facilitator Leah de Souza and motivational speaker Arnold Best.

Overall, six primary schools were adopted from across the southern Caribbean, with the programme set to conclude in July 2023, after which a new cohort of schools will be chosen. The Adopt-A-School programme forms part of Sagicor’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, with the Mundo Nuevo RC Primary School as its inaugural partner for the 2021/2022 academic year.

Sagicor’s Keisha Humphrey-Mayers, communications and group CSR manager, said, “Sagicor’s partnership with Piparo Presbyterian isn’t solely focused on the enhancing the physical environment for the students. It is also about enriching their lives so they can be well-rounded citizens. This activity aimed to widen their worldview and the hopes and dreams they have for themselves. I know the principal was quite pleased with the initiative and I hope it resonated with the students as they move forward in their life.”

Training and development expert and TRAINMAR founder de Souza said, “When we believe in our vision, we start to believe in ourselves. When we work on our vision, it starts to become our reality. It was a pleasure being able to give these children an avenue to explore their vision for their lives. You can actually see the shift in their eyes when they start believing that what they have in their hearts is truly possible. It's an empowering moment to witness!”

Best, Arrowhead Strategic Intervention Services founder, said, “Being a part of Sagicor's Adopt-A-School programme, meant allowing the younger generation to understand that life can be limitless. The beautiful thing about the programme is seeing the kids’ excitement while they create their future vision. I hope they continue dreaming.”

Sagicor’s Adopt-A-School programme is underpinned by four key pillars: physical environment, health, developmental and educational programmes and safety and will involve support in various forms including upgrades to the schools’ facilities, support of various school initiatives and overall outreach.

Schools were selected from several nominations submitted by Sagicor team members in each territory, with the final schools chosen by staff committees who conducted a period of review and shortlisting.