The donation, in the amount of fourteen thousand dollars (EC $14,000), was given to the Children’s Home, on Thursday, 21st April, 2011, to be used in the daily operations of the facility, according an official at the university. The monetary contribution was mostly provided by the 2011 Seventh Semester Class which has just completed their last semester of studies in St. Kitts, and will be leaving for their final year of veterinary clinical coursework, at various veterinary schools throughout the United States.
The RUSVM official indicated that the funds were raised by over 100 final year students. During their 2 year studies in St. Kitts, the students dedicated some of their time to help raise funds, undertaking various projects to make their targets.
The donation, according to the Chairman of the Children’s Home management committee, Mr. Sebastian Mottram, “Is very timely and most a welcomed gift, which will be put to good use to greatly assist us in continuing the purpose of the St. Christopher Children’s Home.”
According to the Assistant Dean for Communications and External Relations of the university, Ms. Jodi Peeler, “Part of the mission of RUSVM is to improve the well being of animals and society, we focus those efforts in St. Kitts, and we strive to enhance student skills to become successful veterinarians, but more importantly, to be successful members of society. This donation is possible because of the students, it was their idea, the students raised the money for this donation, the students made this happen – St. Kitts becomes a significant part of their life after attending school and giving back is just a way to show their appreciation.”
The donated funds were a combination of those monies raised and funds received from the student government association that is allocated to the class for activities. The students chose for the funds to be given back to the community to demonstrate their gratitude for the hospitality that has been shown to them by the citizens of St. Kitts, said a Ross official.
The financial contribution was presented to Mr. Sebastian Mottram, chairperson of the St. Christopher Children’s Home and Service League by Mr. Frank Swartzel, seventh semester class representative, and other members of the class at a brief ceremony at the Home. Board members of the St. Christopher Children’s Home and Service League along with representatives from RUSVM attended the ceremony.
“I happy to present this gift to the St. Christopher Children’s Home on behalf of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s seventh semester class, said Swartzel. We are thankful for the experience and the opportunity to study in St. Kitts and we are honoured to be able to show our appreciation in this manner, stated the proud student.
Mottram expressed words of appreciation to RUSVM and the students for their donation and support of the Home’s ongoing commitment to the Youth in St. Kitts.