The Junior Achievement Committee was formed in June this year and comprised of the following persons:

Patricia Maher, Digicel - Chairperson
George Harford, Courts Grenada
Angus Steele, C&W Grenada
Chris De Riggs, Executive Director
Yvonne Gellineau-Simon, President
We are ably assisted by Patsy Dragon from the Chamber. 

Our 1st goal was to raise the funds to support the running of the programme. We raised over ECD 60,000 from the private sector and received ECD 30,000 from our major sponsor St. George’s University. Colin Dowe representing SGU joined us on the JA Committee. This fund raising effort was a major achievement and thank you to the sponsors for your support. 

The Sponsors are namely:

Creative Design
NIS
Digicel
Hubbards
Courts
Texaco/Chevron
RBTT
Grenlec
Republic Bank
Communal Co-op Credit Union
Scotia
Bryden & Minors
Grenada Breweries
Cable & Wireless
Grenada Cooperative Bank 

Our second goal was to get the support of the Minister of Education, the Principals of the Secondary Schools and the Principle of Business Teachers. After a series of meeting, we were successful in our efforts and Gloria Bonaparte is representing the Ministry of Education on our JA Committee.

The third goal was to establish the Junior Achievement companies in the schools. I am pleased to inform you that 19 of the 21 secondary schools in this country are participating in this programme with Anglican High School forming 2 companies.

 This programme could not operate without a Junior Achievement Coordinator and this year we successfully recruited Ms. Jessie Cumberbatch in this role. She coordinates the relationship between the Business Teacher (“Supervisor”), the Private Sector (“ Consultant”) and the Chamber of Commerce. She will ensure that each JA company is following the program as per the guide for Volunteers and Teachers and that each JA company is visited by herself, the private sector companies and the faculty and students of SGU over the coming months.

 Last but not least, our final goal is to ensure that the programme is a success and now I appeal to the business community for more Consultants. We are lacking in consultants as not every company that sponsored us in cash can support us with human resources. This is the key as these young students, need guidance and advice, from mentors, coaches and consultants from the world of business. We need a consultant for St. John’s Christian Sec. School, St. Mark’s Secondary, Grenada SDA Comprehensive Mt. Rose and St. Andrews Convent in St. Andrew’s. Yesterday I spent 2 hours with 34 boys from GBSS and their teacher Mr. Joseph and it was a rewarding experience as we discussed their business opportunity.

 We plan an Open House in January for the parents and interested parties of Junior Achievers. In April we will have our Trade Fair which is open to the public. In May, we will have a formal graduation ceremony. At the end of the programme, the Chamber hopes to develop entrepreneurial and managerial skills in these students so that they can one day put these skills of leadership, empowerment, follow up, problem solving, critical thinking and team work to work in your organization.

Thank you.