A Mother’s Fight Behind Faith Grant’s Success 

By S.Browne. Updated 12:10 p.m., Thursday, July 23, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Behind Faith Grant’s achievement in the 2026 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) is a story of determination, advocacy and a mother’s commitment to ensuring that her child had access to opportunities to succeed.

In a July 22 press release, Voice of the Disabled (VOD), San Souci, highlighted the journey of Faith and her mother, Yolanda Grant, and the years of advocacy and support that contributed to Faith’s educational progress.

VOD congratulated Faith, her mother, family and educators after the 11-year-old secured 19th place among female candidates and 43rd overall in the 2026 CPEA.

While Faith’s academic achievement has placed her among the top performers nationally, VOD said her journey also reflects the importance of advocacy and collaboration in ensuring that children with disabilities receive the support needed to reach their potential.

“God has blessed Faith, kept her and provided guidance along the way,” VOD stated in its press release. “With a mother who has been passionate and persistent, Faith successfully completed her primary education and ultimately showed the country that all people are capable of achieving greatness, despite differences.”

According to VOD, the journey began nearly a decade ago when Grant and VOD representative Cheryl Adams were introduced by Sister Samuel, who served as Programme Coordinator for an annual event recognising persons with disabilities at Calder Adventist Church.

The organisation said that as a parent of a child with visual impairment, Grant recognised the importance of educating herself, building connections with supportive communities and seeking appropriate resources to support her daughter’s development.

VOD said Grant later became a member of the organisation, where she served as Public Relations Officer and Parent Group Coordinator.

During her time with VOD, the organisation said Grant contributed to efforts to support persons living with disabilities, including delivering training for teachers and parents and working alongside VOD on initiatives involving the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment.

The organisation said Grant and Adams worked together to identify a suitable school placement for Faith and advocated for the accommodations required to support her learning.

According to VOD, securing those resources required continued engagement with the Ministry of Education. The organisation said Grant had previously used her own funds to cover expenses associated with specialised support and services for Faith.

VOD said it later raised the family’s needs with the Ministry of National Mobilisation, which at the time had responsibility for persons with disabilities. The organisation said the Ministry responded by coordinating assistance through the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, helping to reduce some of the financial burden.

Despite the challenges encountered along the way, VOD described Faith as a student who demonstrated resilience, ability and a strong desire to learn.

“Faith proved to be a determined, talented, intelligent and resilient young person with a strong desire to learn,” the organisation stated.

Faith, who is now 11 years old, is expected to continue her education at the Girls’ High School, one of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ secondary institutions.

VOD said Faith’s story should also encourage continued discussions about accessibility and inclusion within the country’s education system.

“Every child deserves a fair opportunity to reach their highest potential,” the organisation stated.

The group said creating more inclusive learning environments requires continued efforts, including the development of adaptive materials, access to assistive technology, the incorporation of Braille and other alternative communication methods, family support, specialised training for educators and improved accessibility in physical spaces.

VOD encouraged parents and guardians of children with disabilities to continue advocating for opportunities that allow their children to thrive.

“Parents and guardians, please take note of Faith’s story,” the organisation stated. “We hope that you feel inspired by Ms Grant’s unwavering pursuit of a quality life for her child.”

The organisation said Grant’s advocacy demonstrates the importance of education, parental involvement and persistence in helping children reach their goals.

As Faith prepares for the next stage of her academic journey, VOD said continued support will remain important, particularly as persons with visual impairments may require assistive devices and other specialised tools.

“Faith will need much love, encouragement and support as she tackles the different phases of life,” the organisation stated.

VOD reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for persons living with disabilities in St Vincent and the Grenadines through education, training, parent support, outreach and partnerships with local, regional and international stakeholders.

The organisation said Faith’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that all children have access to opportunities that allow them to participate fully and achieve their potential.

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