The Tribune

Royal Bank of Canada has sponsored the recent FOCUS Lyford Cay Foundation programme.

FOCUS is an educational enrichment programme geared towards grade 4 public school students. Grade 4 students join the programme and remain as FOCUS participants until they graduate from high school.

FOCUS, an acronym for ‘Forward and Onward to College. Upward to Success’, aims to provide academic support to underprivileged students and prepare them to enter college upon graduation.

Royal Bank (RBC) is the first corporate sponsor of the FOCUS programme, which was launched in 2011. Since its inception, FOCUS has grown from 30 students to 70.

“RBC recognises the important role education plays in the growth of a country and its ability to compete in a global market”, said Jan Knowles, RBC’s spokesperson.

“The FOCUS Lyford Cay programme is a great addition to our mix of funding to programmes which contribute to the development of youth in The Bahamas.”

The FOCUS programme takes place year round. During the summer, FOCUS students participate in a six-week action learning course.

Felicity Humblestone, FOCUS programme director, said “Donors to Lyford Cay Foundation make programmes like FOCUS possible. Without generous donor support, like that of RBC, we would not be able to provide the extensive resources to the students that we do.”

The Summer Slam FOCUS session ended on August 10, 2012. The FOCUS programme will resume its SLAM Saturday sessions in October.