Basil Charles Foundation Marks 30 Years With 20 New Scholarship Recipients 

By S.Browne. Updated 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Basil Charles Educational Foundation is marking 30 years of supporting Vincentian students, with 20 new students joining its scholarship and bursary programme for the 2026 school year.

The foundation said its need-based programme is designed to assist students who have the aptitude to perform well in school but lack the financial resources needed to succeed.

The latest cohort comprises 10 full-time scholarship recipients and 10 bursary recipients.

Full-time scholarship students receive EC$1,500 per school year, while bursary recipients receive EC$600 for each new school year.

Students awarded full-time scholarships enter the programme in Form 1 and receive support through Form 5, for a period of five years. Selected students may also qualify for assistance with higher education.

The 10 full-time scholarship recipients are Aeva Olliver of Zsoka Academy, attending Girls’ High School; Leondre Browne of Cane End Government School, attending St Joseph Convent Marriaqua; John Webb of Kingstown Preparatory School, attending St Vincent Grammar School; Leanna Providence of Buccament Government School, attending Thomas Saunders Secondary School; Esther Millington of New Prospect Primary School, attending Adelphi Secondary School; Sarai George of Kingstown Preparatory School, attending Thomas Saunders School; Tanisha John of Georgetown Government School, attending Georgetown Secondary School; Ranson McCoy of Questelles Government School, attending St Martin’s Secondary School; Ruvone Chambers of Rose Hall Government School, attending St Vincent Grammar School; and Xavique Browne of Kingstown Preparatory School, attending Mountain View Academy.

The 10 bursary recipients are Suria Joseph of Georgetown Government School, attending St Joseph Convent Marriaqua; Jaquez Snagg of Kingstown Preparatory School, attending West St George Secondary School; Kaden Llewellyn of C.W. Prescod Primary School, attending St Vincent Grammar School; Xyrell Dopwell of Kingstown Preparatory School, attending St Martin’s Secondary School; Rhenea Butcher of Kingstown Government School, attending St Joseph Convent Kingstown; Theon Ollivierre of New Prospect Primary School, attending Adelphi Secondary School; Nathaniel McQuilkin of St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, attending St Vincent Grammar School; KJ Jovial Joseph of Stubbs Government School, attending St Joseph Convent Marriaqua; Jonecia Ashton of Georgetown Government School, attending St Joseph Convent Kingstown; and Kyeambi Kerr of Tourama Government School, attending Bishop’s College Kingstown.

The 2026 awards add to a much wider record of educational assistance.

According to the foundation, more than 2,000 students have received assistance over the past 30 years through full-time scholarships, bursaries, preschool programmes, summer programmes and other educational pursuits.

The foundation currently supports 112 high school students from across St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Its support also includes additional assistance for full-time scholarship recipients when deemed necessary.

The foundation’s Leiner’s Feeding Programme is currently supporting 21 students who were not part of the BCEF programme when they began their secondary education.

The students were selected following needs-based assessments carried out by the foundation’s teams, staff and teachers at major schools. The programme has been sponsored by donors Michael and Roseann Leiner.

The foundation said its work is funded by the Mustique Blues Festival, which has held shows every year since 1996. Funds raised through admission and, in earlier years, CD sales were identified as a main source of funding.

The organisation also acknowledged the support of donors, musicians and local sponsors who have contributed to its work over the years.

Among those recognised are Michael and Roseann Leiner, the late Michel de Vibraye, Jeff and Helen Yaker, Goldman Sachs Gives and the late Felix Dennis.

The foundation also credited musician Dana Gillespie with helping to organise and manage the Mustique Blues Festival for many years. The late Joe Louis Walker also assisted with organising the festival until recently.

Local sponsors acknowledged by the foundation include The Plantation House in Bequia, the National Lotteries Authority and Coreas Distributions Limited, trading as Acado SVG.

As the foundation marks its 30th anniversary, 13 of its students have also graduated this year and are awaiting results.

The graduates are Lennol Westfield of Petit Bordel Secondary School; Donrez Thomas, Jelani Simmons, Delroy Bobb, Rohan Andrews and Rishon Morgan of St Vincent Grammar School; Smithron Stapleton of Central Leeward Secondary School; David Lewis of St Clair Dacon Secondary School; Serenity Joseph of St Vincent Girls’ High School; and Elvanique Horne, Acadia Charles, Kerthez Edwards and Sharina Browne of St Vincent Community College.

The foundation extended congratulations to the graduates and wished them well in their future endeavours.

As it enters its fourth decade, the Basil Charles Educational Foundation continues to focus on students whose educational prospects can be affected by financial hardship, with 20 more students now receiving scholarship or bursary assistance as part of its 2026 programme.

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