The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Agriculture and Fisheries has handed over the first 2020 Don Hanson Charitable Foundation box filled with books to the Willard Wheatley Primary School.

The box, which is referred to as the “Hanson Box” was handed over by the His Excellency the Governor John James Rankin, CMG to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture which in a ceremony was symbolically presented to the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley who handed over the books to the Ministry who then handed over the box of books to the Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George who then handed over the box of books to the Principal of the School, Mrs. Enid Penn-Charles.

Governor Rankin, said that he was pleased to handover the books to the schools in the Territory adding, “I am pleased to be learning about how beautiful these islands are and just how beautiful the waters are and how important the environment is to each and every one of you. So I hope that you enjoy these books. I hope that they are treasured in the library here and I hope they inspire each and every one of you to help you preserve the environment.”

The boxes include the text and the film, “Britain's Distant Seas - The Waters of the UK Overseas Territories”, which is about the marine life of the Overseas Territories (OTs) along with other books focused on the environment, geography and animals across the region, the United Kingdom and the world.

Governor Rankin is in receipt of 29 more Hanson boxes which will be handed over to the other public schools in the Territory through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture.

The goal of the foundation is to inspire and engage students and give teachers resources that will make learning more exciting. The donation also includes flower seeds, bean seeds and material for classroom garden/science projects. A Hanson Box is a box filled with educational resources for teachers and students. Minister for Education, Dr. the Honourable Wheatley thanked the Governor and the Foundation for their generous donation.

Honourable Wheatley said, “We are very privileged to have received these books today and I want to encourage each of you students to dream big. You don’t have to confine your thinking to where you live. You can dream big. And, the way that you achieve your dreams is through education and a wonderful thing to be educated about is our precious environment.”

Honourable Wheatley added, “The environment is a big part of how we make money as a Territory because visitors come from near and far just to experience our beautiful waters, sunlight and climate. So, thank you Governor, and children please take care of the books and enjoy them.”

Principal, Mrs. Enid Penn-Charles said the school’s staff and students were grateful for the gift of the Hanson Box as they continue to work towards one of the school’s goal of promoting literacy.

“These books will indeed assist in that venture. “They will also augment areas in our curriculum about the environment and how we should care for it as our students read and participate in the activities contained in the boxes.”   

Also present to give remarks at the handover ceremony was Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent Wheatley who thanked the Governor and Foundation for equipping students with the tools they need to learn about safeguarding the environment.

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcia Potter and Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George were also present at the handover.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture will continue to foster the love of reading and the environment within the Territory’s public school system.