Anguilla Community Foundation: Governance and Operations

A Declaration

The history of Anguilla and its people embraces both a fierce spirit of pride, independence and self reliance and a deep concern for each other's welfare and well-being.

Free people giving freely of themselves to help their fellow citizens and doing so in a spirit of joy. Nothing better captures this remarkable dynamic than JOLLIFICATION, the unique term by which Anguillians describe the celebratory act of neighbors coming together to help neighbors.

The formation of The Anguilla Community Foundation signals and confirms that the spirit of jollification has found yet another way to express itself.

The community foundation will enable Anguillians to preserve and enhance the quality of life on our island, to strengthen the viability of non-governmental organizations as well as to foster the creation of new ones and to provide donors with the opportunity and means to fully express their charitable spirit.

May, 1999

Scholarships

Questions for Past Scholarship Recipients

1. What is your name?: Lavelle Niles
2. What year(s) were you awarded an Anguilla Community Foundation (ACF) scholarship? And in what field?: 2014 - Healthcare: management, policy & research.
3. How has an ACF scholarship assisted you in achieving your educational and/or career goals?: One of the huge expenses associated with university is the cost of student housing. Since it was my first time in the UK, my university recommended staying in campus housing, however this came at a very hefty cost. This ACF scholarship allowed me to pay for majority of my accommodation costs for my first year. This assistance was definitely one of the many building blocks that accumulated over my four years that assisted me to graduate with a first class honours degree!
4. What academic and professional fields have you studied/worked in? (Please note science, technology, engineering and mathematics, specifically, if applicable).: I have studied broadly in the health sciences discipline with concentrations in policy, management and research. I interned in my 3^rd year, and worked in the areas of project management, hospital transformation/change management and research.; I received an unconditional offer when I applied to the University of Southampton, and enquired if there were any scholarships that the faculty/university offered. I was lucky to receive a reduction in tuition fees across my four years of university.; During my time at university I made the faculty of health sciences dean’s list for my three years of academic engagement.; While in university I faced some challenges, just like any other student who have moved away from home to live and study in a big city. Despite these challenges I am extremely proud of myself for graduating with a first class honours degree from a Russel Group University!
6. Do you participate in any volunteer/community groups? If so, please tell us about it.: Since returning home to Anguilla I have joined the executive team of Spill the Tea Book Club. Reading is a hobby of mine, however due to life and a busy schedule I was not able to indulge as much as I would have wanted. Being a part of the book club has definitely allowed me to fall in love with reading again. Our mission is to change the culture in Anguilla towards reading, particularly among the adult population. Reading also does not need to be in the traditional sense, as audiobooks are also very convenient and cool. Our sessions are held at 6:30pm, on the 3rd Wednesday at Tea Box Lounge, and it is more than a traditional book club, it is also a free therapy session (as we like to jokingly say), as the books always seem to speak to the various issues or challenges we deal with in real life.; I also volunteer on the Management Advisory Board for the Job Link Up Programme at the Department of Youth and Culture. The goal of the programme is to support the engagement of young people in sustainable livelihoods It is always gratifying to witness the growth of the persons on the programme who have the opportunity to gain life skills and experiences that can positively impact their lives and the community in general.
7. In what ways do you want to impact the development of Anguilla?: When I think about how I want to impact the development of others, I want to do it in a very organic way. For instance, the book club allows me to share my ideas with others in a safe space that lends to the broadening of horizons and different ways of thinking. Being a part of such an initiative allows the attendee to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and grow in various ways. Hopefully, this will impact the manner in which they interact and navigate social situations, and hence positively impacting development in general. Even more so, when information, ideas, concepts are shared with wider family and friends, it helps to change/mould the society we live in, and through that way I can be a part of the educational/knowledge base development of Anguilla in general.; In my professional capacity I work with vulnerable persons and aim to provide assistance to them across various aspects of their life. In this role, if I can provide advice, support or encouragement to someone who is going through a difficult time. Providing this type of support enables persons to restore their capabilities to contribute towards the functioning of Anguilla, and in turn the development of the island.
8. What do you hope to achieve professionally in the next 5 years?: Ideally, I would like to work in a health care related field, as this is my area of passion. I will also continue to expand my knowledge base by enrolling into online programmes, as this will allow me to work and learn at the same time.