Let’s make waves of change! We are excited to launch our CLASS program fundraising campaign for the 2023-24 academic year. It has been an amazing year with all students back to fully in-person learning. The enthusiasm for libraries is high, and the excitement has us working double time. We are eager to support our students with the literacy support they need to thrive.
The schools and community libraries below represent a handful of the more than 435 primary and secondary schools that are a part of the Hands Across the Sea CLASS program. These partners have been selected to receive a top-up, rejuvenation, or a brand-new library based on both need and merit. We are also humbled to expand on our work supporting underserved communities with a targeted Special Needs Library collection as a part of a regional effort to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. This year’s library collections will be another big step for us in our multi-year effort to build culturally responsive texts to support academic needs and social and emotional learning for students throughout the Eastern Caribbean. With interesting titles and reliable literacy support, we look forward to doing our part to inspire and motivate more than 20,000 young learners and future leaders.
This year, schools can look forward to receiving an order of top-quality books from CaribbeanReads and a catalogue of world class titles from Scholastic and Penguin. Like you, we are eager to keep young minds and imaginations growing. We hope you will take a look at the list below and that you will join us in support of this important and timely mission.
Libraries and literacy initiatives remain a bright spot for thousands of children in the Eastern Caribbean.
From Read Aloud tours to traveling bookmobiles, Vernest and Hyacinth, our two Literacy Links, work tirelessly to bring literacy to every child while ensuring that school libraries are well maintained and properly utilized. Antigua is setting the standard for many of our academic recovery programs in the region.
Adele School
Number of Students: 27
Library Need: Special Education
Population Served: Special Education
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school for children ages 5 through 21 serves special needs. Gardening, lifeskills, cooking, sewing, shopping, making your bed, and hands-on learning are all a part of the daily schooling. We are excited to support this school’s library and reading culture with a special needs specialty book order
Antigua Girls High School
Number of Students: 618
Library Need: New Library
Population Served: Secondary School
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,800
Funding Status: Funded!
The only all-girls school on island, Antigua Girls School boasts more than 600 high-achieving, highly ambitious young students. Previous library donations have been heavily utilized, and the collections are worn down and extremely limited. Students are desperate for new books to support their examination preparation, research needs, and leisure reading.
Antigua Wesleyan
Junior Academy
Number of Students: 180
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
Their well-used lending program is highly active with a strong borrowing culture. The children need an injection of new titles and fresh books to keep up with their interest and activity.
Cedar Grove
Primary School
Number of Students: 145
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
The students have read through all of the existing titles. The school needs an influx of books to keep with their interest.
Clare Hall
Secondary School
Number of Students: 765
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Secondary School
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
A thorough book culling took place in 2021. Old rotten books were discarded while outdated and worn- out titles were utilized for giveaways and community library engagement. With classes fully reopened, Clare Hall’s extremely large student roll and diverse demographic of children are in great need of new titles to keep up with enrollment and interests. Leadership is strong and the library culture is thriving.
Freemansville
Primary School
Number of Students: 93
Library Need: New Library
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,800
Funding Status: Needs Funds
The school finally has space for a designated library but has not received a book donation in 9 years. The students read a lot but have depended on the limited library offerings within their classrooms. Books are urgently needed.
Freetown Primary School
Number of Students: 53
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
New books and variety are needed to maintain student activity and interest.
Green Bay Primary School
Number of Students: 320
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The library space is not only impressive, but intimidating. We go in each year to support the set-up for this extremely well-utilized program. The classes are time-tabled and teachers and leadership ensure regular activity is integrated into the curriculum. The books are very old, worn in, and outdated. New titles and a robust collection are severely needed.
Irene B. Williams
Secondary School
Number of Students: 240
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Secondary School
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,400
Funding Status: Funded!
A hoard of old books were culled from this library in early 2020 during the pandemic. New titles and collections are very needed. This school is also home to special needs classrooms, and the librarian is working closely with students with learning and developmental differences who are in need of a focused special education library collection.
J.T. Ambrose
Primary School
Number of Students: 268
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
The library last received books before the pandemic and is in need of new collections and titles to maintain interest
Old Road Primary School
Number of Students: 94
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
Students are well accustomed to attending the library during their free period, as the school leadership encourages use and practice. The books in the library are so well used but are worn in and there are not enough titles. A top-up collection will be a great accompaniment to in-school library training sessions planned for the upcoming school year.
Pigotts Primary
Number of Students: 235
Library Need: New Library
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,800
Funding Status: Funded!
Pigotts is another of our schools that double as a centre for Academic Recovery for students who are struggling with reading and literacy. We were deeply affected by the involvement and investment from the parents. The collections are outdated, and there are simply not enough books to serve the students and the summer program.
School Library Services
Number of Students: N/A
Library Need: New Library
Population Served: Grades K-6 + Resources Center
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $6,000
Funding Status: Needs Funds
In partnership with the National Library Services, this collection would be available as a Master K-6 lending library under the supervision of the head of National Library Services and would be a critical component in supporting education and teacher training and student resources.
St. John’s Catholic
Primary School
Number of Students: 458
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
Library was in the process of being set up before the pandemic, but the shut-down created mounting delays. The space is well cared for but the collections are very outdated and sparse.
St. John’s Lutheran
Primary School
Number of Students: 260
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
A number of outdated books present. Needs new books to rekindle interest in consistent reading.
Sir McChesney George
Secondary School (Barbuda)
Number of Students: 127
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Secondary School
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
Many books were destroyed during Hurricane Maria in 2017. Their new library has been rebuilt through local partnerships to address the damage and moisture. There is a new librarian here, Ms. Jasminth Harris, who has shifted the library into a larger space. New titles are badly needed.
Victory Centre
Number of Students: 15
Library Need: Special Education
Population Served: Special Education
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school needs a collection of books specifically designed for read alouds to cater to special needs students.
Dominica
Lize and Giselle never let a creative opportunity pass them by. Students flourish with each literacy initiative this Literacy Link duo brings to the schools. Their commitment to great, local leadership and strong partnerships have made all the difference in driving literacy in the schools and communities they serve. Five years have passed since Hurricane Maria devastated the island, and we continue to build back in Dominica stronger and more committed than ever.
Wotten Waven
Primary School
Number of Students: 27
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2022-23 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
This school, which was rebuilt after Hurricane Maria through support from the Maria Holder Trust, is under the leadership of a new principal Ms. Josette Morancie. She is a driven, open-minded, proactive leader who believes in the transformative power of the library. Ms. Morancie is in the process of getting the school new, termite-proof shelving for the dedicated space she secured for the student library.
14 Preschools
Total Number of Students: 420
Cost per School: $2,500
Total cost for 2023-24 preschool program: $35,000
Population Served: 3-5 years
Funding Status: Funded!
It only takes $2,500 to get a preschool library up and running with the Early Pages Programme. You can provide young learners with the foundation they need to succeed in life. Each preschool will receive a full library collection of Big Books, board books, little books, and books for borrowing. They will also receive a hard copy of Hands Across the Sea’s Preschool Manual and will receive orientation and ongoing support and training. Click Here to learn more.
20 Preschools
Total Number of Students: 1,000
Cost per School: $2,500
Total cost for 2023-24 preschool program: $50,000
Population Served: 3-5 years
Funding Status: Funded!
It only takes $2,500 to get a preschool library up and running with the Early Pages Programme. You can provide young learners with the foundation they need to succeed in life. Each preschool will receive a full library collection of Big Books, board books, little books, and books for borrowing. They will also receive a hard copy of Hands Across the Sea’s Preschool Manual and will receive orientation and ongoing support and training. Click Here to learn more.
St. Kitts & Nevis
Libraries in Saint Kitts and Nevis are flourishing with the care and precision Palsy Wilkin and Eleanor Phillip bring to the Federation’s literacy programs. Leadership development, preschool programs, and integrated library programming are just a few of the recent successes the Hands team has delivered to Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Cecele Browne
Integrated School
Number of Students: 24
Library Need: Special Education
Population Served: Special Education
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school needs books designed for children with special needs so these students can participate in read alouds and continue to flourish.
Cotton Thomas
Comprehensive School
(St. Kitts)
Number of Students: 115
Library Need: Special Education
Population Served: Special Education
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school serves children with special needs ages 6 through 21. The students currently attend on a shared grounds with Dr. William Connor Primary School; however, the large student roll means the school will be finding new grounds to better accommodate the growing class sizes and needs of the students. The principal, Mr. Sylvestor Dore, is a proponent for literacy and has been an eager partner. The reading teacher, Ms. Dorielle Bowrin, is excited to begin working with targeted resources with the students.
Dr. William Connor
Primary School (St. Kitts)
Number of Students: 350
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
Ms. Lisa Pringle is the school’s librarian and is doing a fantastic job working with the children using the new books and tracking not only records but also the number of students who are coming for library skill building sessions. The books are very well loved and displayed to be used. They have shown such a high level of engagement and use that this school is already prepared to receive additional titles to support the highly active students and great leadership.
Sandy Point
Primary School (St. Kitts)
Number of Students: 343
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
Mrs. Nicole Francis is so dedicated to her students and library that she came in for a special visit with her grade 6 students during her Eastern recess to work with Hands Across the Sea and share the student and library progress. Mrs. Francis sends out questions to the teachers and students to ensure honest utilization of the books by working with students to identify and decipher the stories through recall; some students do a short book report based on specific and focused questions.
Violet O. Jeffers-Nichols Primary School (Nevis)
Number of Students: 73
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
This school could potentially use a top-up to replace old and damaged books that were culled over the past 2 school years. However, this school is currently without a librarian and our Literacy Link is overseeing the management of the space.
12 Preschools
Total Number of Students: 360
Cost per School: $2,500
Total cost for 2023-24 preschool program: $30,000
Population Served: 3-5 years old
Funding Status: Need Funds
It only takes $2,500 to get a preschool library up and running with the Early Pages Programme. You can provide young learners with the foundation they need to succeed in life. Each preschool will receive a full library collection of Big Books, board books, little books, and books for borrowing. They will also receive a hard copy of Hands Across the Sea’s Preschool Manual and will receive orientation and ongoing support and training. Click Here to learn more.
St. Lucia
Our Literacy Links, Sheila Serville and Mary-Anna Antoine are applying their decades of education leadership and helping to drive a great deal of enthusiasm for library programs in Saint Lucia. Libraries have been re-opening at an impressive pace with renewed gusto for student engagement, while continuing to innovate child-friendly, weather-proof spaces.
Anse La Raye
Infant School
Number of Students: 84
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-2
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The school had been making very good use of the library, but due to Covid closures the space was sealed up and shut down with resources safely tucked away. The upcoming school year includes plans for a library infrastucture refurbishment. This last book shipment was 10 years ago, and the principal is very eager to re-open with a fresh collection of books to re-ignite the library schedule and the school’s passion for reading.
Anse La Raye
Primary School
Number of Students: 94
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades 3-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
A termite infestation resulted in an emergency discarding of books and shelves. Sir Arthur Lewis Community College is already at work re-inventing the shelving in the new, dry, and cleared-out space. We look forward to reinvigorating the collections and supporting this mighty effort.
Augier Combined School
Number of Students: 286
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
There is a library space that was upgraded a few years ago. They are very committed. The principal Mrs. Kajane James makes sure the children visit the library very frequently and do whatever is necessary to maintain focus on reading. The school is very careful in how they oversee and tend to their collections and take great efforts to hurricane-proof their treasured books each year.
Blanchard Primary
Number of Students: 152
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
After efforts were made to resolve a leaky roof, Blanchard created a renewed and reorganized library. Their collections are well cared for and used; however, they do not have many titles available. This remote, deeply rural school has an engaged community of students who would greatly benefit from additional titles to support their learning.
Bouton RC
Combined School
Number of Students: 46
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Needs Funds
The school has a very active reading culture. The teacher in charge of the kindergarten department sets the children on an early path for reading activity with regular Big Book read alouds that are fun and engaging. The principal has requested new and interesting titles to maintain engagement, especially for the young schoolboys who are lagging in their literacy.
Canaries Infant School
Number of Students: 81
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-2
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
This school’s library space has been filled with old titles that are heavily worn in or inappropriate. The village school has a lovely library space in need of new books and excellent titles.
Ciceron RC
Combined School
Number of Students: 240
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
They are up and running, but they find that many of the books have been read time and again. A lack of new titles but an active reading culture is creating a bottleneck. Now that children are back in school full time, it is overwhelming the demand for a refurbished library collection with fresh and interesting titles to maintain motivation and engagement.
Dennery Primary School
Number of Students: 253
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades 3-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The school has a great student-run borrowing program. They do not have many titles, but those which they do have are very well managed.
Sir Ira Simmons
Secondary School
Number of Students: 900
Library Need: New Library
Population Served: Secondary School
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school shows so much interest and the staff and leadership are incredibly welcoming and eager to build a library to support their very large student roll. The teacher here transferred from a previous school where she experienced and worked in a Hands Across the Sea Library and was so impressed that she jumped at the opportunity to bring the program into this new school.
Ti Rocher RC
Primary School
Number of Students: 150
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
A grand re-opening in May celebrated the completion of a library reorganization undertaken by the school. The Esther Deligny Library boasts wonderful activities including student read alouds and parent engagement. We are eager to support such inspiring activities and efforts.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Enna and Yvette have led Saint Vincent through 2 years of intense challenges, which included an outbreak of dengue fever, a volcanic eruption, a hurricane, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout, our relationships with the community and the deep passion they bring to their work has forged new pathways during times of great uncertainty. National Library Initiatives and disaster response programs have made a tremendous impact in SVG, and we look forward to continuing to serve and support the students and communities through libraries.
Barrouallie Anglican Primary School
Number of Students: 211
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
Students in the upper levels borrow books to do their book reports and other students come to borrow to take home if they choose to. The school wants to expand their lending throughout the school, but there is a shortage of books.in the library especially for K-3. A lot of their books are worn out and some were damaged in the clean up of the volcanic ash. There are initiatives to raise the level of literacy, and there are severe challenges especially with the boys.
Belair Govt School
Number of Students: 188
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This library was reopened recently. The school needs furniture for seating to keep kids comfortable and in place with books. A floor mat will be very useful to attract more students to spend time in the library.
Belmont Government Primary School
Number of Students: 183
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2022-23 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
Belmont has a good library lending programme run by a parent volunteer librarian who is committed to the improvement of literacy in the school through books. Some of their books are worn out due to constant use and some also had to be thrown out because of a termite attack on the shelves.
Chateaubelair Methodist
Primary School
Number of Students: 226
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2022-23 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This library is placed in a large space where a floor mat would help the children to relax and read.
CW Prescod
Primary School
Number of Students: 735
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The school has a large population of over 700 students and hence a lot of wear and tear on the books. A top-up of books will improve library lending.
Georgetown
Government School
Number of Students: 380
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
The library at this school lacks seating right now. The children would benefit from a floor mat, especially for the younger grade levels.
Gomea Methodist School
Number of Students: 135
Library Need: Rejuvenation & Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $4,400
Funding Status: Funded!
The library, which was relaunched recently, has a collection of books but Hands never donated to them. The principal and staff wants to improve the reading level of students throughout the school and have done a lot of work to make the library space attractive and user friendly. A top up of new books and a floor mat will attract more students to use the library.
Kingstown
Government School
Number of Students: 420
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
This library is functional. However, due to the large population of over 400 students, the collection of books is not adequate for all grades to borrow. The greatest need is for lower-level books to cater to the needs of K-3 students.
Lowmans Windward Anglican School
Number of Students: 81
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The principal has assigned a teacher to assist in the library to revive the lending program. Last term there were several activities to promote literacy through reading books in each grade. However, many of the titles in their collection are old and yellowed and need to be replaced.
New Prospect
Primary School
Number of Students: 40
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
New Prospect is one of the few schools that keeps the library as a priority every year. If there is no YES librarian, the principal takes on the role. Children return the books before time and there is a high demand for the interesting titles.
Owia
Government School
Number of Students: 174
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This library is progressing very well with the help of YES Javin Daniel. However, there are just a few seats in the library. The students make use of the seats available, with many coming in to read at any given time.
Pamelus Burke
Government School
Number of Students: 125
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school wants to improve the use of the library. Their floor mat had to be thrown out because of damage during the eruption. On one of my recent visits, I saw them using a bed sheet for the kindergarten and Grade 1 to sit. We can assist them with a floor mat to make the students more comfortable.
Sandy Bay
Government School
Number of Students: 284
Library Need: Library Infrastructure
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $800
Funding Status: Funded!
This school’s library space is large enough for a floor mat so the children can relax and read.
Spring Village
Methodist Primary
Number of Students: 104
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
This school is in the red zone and was left off the list last year because their library space was not ready. Most of the shelves and books were thrown out because of ash and termites. They have moved ahead and transformed the room by creatively using barrels as shelves. The librarian took the initiative to train student librarians, and the good readers assist the struggling ones. Recently, students who made improvement were awarded with certificates.
St Mary’s Roman
Catholic School
Number of Students: 638
Library Need: Top-up
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $1,600
Funding Status: Funded!
The school has a collection of books but has never received any from Hands. The students can read fairly well and borrow regularly. An injection of new titles will help to motivate them to continue reading
Stephanie Browne
Primary School
Number of Students: 168
Library Need: Rejuvenation
Population Served: Grades K-6
Cost to fund for the 2023-24 School Year: $3,600
Funding Status: Funded!
Recently, parents tiled the library floor and they are now fundraising for appropriate furniture. The staff received training in the teaching of reading from a professional volunteer and has implemented a plan to raise the level of literacy in all grades. The principal has a vested interest in getting students to read more, and because students borrow a lot, the books are very worn. She has reached out with a request for some new books especially to interest boys. Because this school sustains library lending throughout the years, I recommend a top-up of books for them.