The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Save the Children Fund (VINSAVE) is marking its 61st anniversary with a week-long celebration from Sunday, July 21st to Saturday, July 27th, 2024.
The festivities will begin with a thanksgiving church service at the Kingstown Methodist Church on Sunday, July 21st at 4 pm. On Tuesday, July 23rd, VINSAVE will hold its Annual General Meeting at the VINSAVE Auditorium starting at 4 pm. The week continues with an open day at the VINSAVE Child Development Centre on Wednesday, July 24th. On Friday, July 26th, VINSAVE will engage with the community through social media postings. The celebrations will culminate on Saturday, July 27th with a grand gala, dinner, and awards ceremony at the Methodist Church Hall, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Founded in 1963 as the British Save the Children Fund, the organization transitioned to the Canadian Save the Children Fund (CANSAVE) in 1969 before becoming VINSAVE in 1986. The foundation stone of the VINSAVE headquarters was laid on July 24th, 1963, by His Honour, the Administrator S.H. Graham O.B.E., and the building was dedicated to the children of the West Indies by the Commonwealth Save the Children Fund and the West Indies Youth Trust Fund.
For over six decades, VINSAVE has been at the forefront of early childhood education and childcare services in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the region. The Child Development Training Centre, housed at VINSAVE, has trained child development practitioners and pre-school teachers across the English-speaking Caribbean.
VINSAVE has been guided by three executive directors over the years: Mrs. Millicent Iton, who served from 1963 to 1983 and was a pioneer in early childhood education, Mr. Jeff James from 1983 to 1990, and Mrs. Janice Fraser from 1990 to 2023. Currently, Mrs. Desree Wilson serves as the Acting Executive Director.
Beneficiaries of VINSAVE and the general public are encouraged to participate in the week’s activities. For more information, contact the VINSAVE office at 456-1790 or via email at [email protected].