A summer camp designed to support Form 4 students is now underway, thanks to the efforts of a group of passionate alumni who formed BRIDGE – Bridging Relationships & Inspiring through Development, Growth and Empowerment.
This year’s initiative, themed Dear Future Me, is connecting students with the tools, skills, and support systems they need to face their academic and personal journeys.
Founded by Iodele Thomas as a vision dubbed 25/25/25 symbolising 25 years since graduation, the support of 25 students, and giving back in 2025, the idea quickly evolved. With the input of “a powerful group of female alumni,” BRIDGE was born.
The programme is locally coordinated by Shana Eudovique, a teacher at Corinth Secondary School. She explained that this year’s camp focuses on academic preparation, skills development, and career exploration, with sessions designed to empower students both inside and outside the classroom.
Students are receiving practical training in financial literacy, including saving, investing and understanding credit, as well as entrepreneurship, where they are learning to pitch business ideas and develop business plans.
They are also being introduced to personal branding, professional imaging, and digital tools, particularly the Google platform, to help with School-Based Assessments (SBAs).
“By the end of the programme,” Eudovique said, “the students will be equipped each with a laptop and school supplies to start the new academic year.”
The organisers hope that students will leave with greater self-confidence and improved decision-making abilities.
This year, BRIDGE has reached students from eleven secondary schools – Saint Lucia Sports Academy, Corinth Secondary, Babonneau Secondary, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary, Patricia James Secondary, Saint Mary’s College, Entrepot Secondary, Leon Hess Secondary, Bocage Secondary, Ciceron Secondary, and the Stanley Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design.
Next year, the programme is expected to shift its focus to the southern region of the island. Eudovique extended special thanks to the Ministry of Education “for supporting the vision”.
