NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JANURARY 7, 2014) – The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus on St. Kitts and Nevis, launched a campaign on January 3, 2014 for the collection of items which will be donated to St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica. Those islands were affected by disastrous weather on December 24th and 25th 2013.

 

As a part of their effort to assist the islands, the UWI Open Campus will accept donations requested by its partners in St Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Open Campus in Nevis, Marion Heights. Monetary donations can also be made through the First Caribbean International Bank, account number 1255147 to the UWI Christmas Storm Relief Fund.

 

In an interview with the Department of Information on January 03, 2014, Head of the University of the West Indies Open Campus, St. Kitts and Nevis Ms. Susan Sarah Owen outlined the purpose of launching the campaign.

 

“The University of the West Indies Open Campus has launched a regional campaign to assist those in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica who were affected by terrible disastrous weather on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day… throughout the UWI territories we are really trying to play our part in assisting those affected,” she said.

 

The UWI Open Campus on St. Kitts and Nevis began the collection drive on Monday 6th January until Friday 10th January and the donated items would be shipped on Monday January 13th, 2014.

 

During the interview, Ms. Owen encouraged members of the public to donate to the cause and listed items requested for donation.

 

“We are hoping that you all will give generously and help us in this appeal. You can call the UWI open campus site in Nevis or in St. Kitts if you need any further information…We will be accepting specific donations that have been requested by our colleges in St Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines especially, they have asked for non-perishable food items, sheets, towels, disposable diapers for adults and children, disinfectant, first aid kits and hygiene kits, laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap, bottled water or containers for water, mattresses and cots, clothing, baby formula and powdered milk.

 

“In addition to these supplies, after hurricane Thomas hit St Lucia in 2011, the UWI Open Campus adopted two schools and as this disaster happened in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we’ll also be accepting any toys or any small gifts that we can send down to the children in those affected islands,” she said.