And while Labour had its open day today - it was like an open yesterday at the Tubal Institute in Ladyville. As we told you last night, the founders of that institution are the winners of First Caribbean Bank's Regional Unsung Heroes Award. But when you're working with marginalized youths, $25,000 is just a drop in the bucket. In a follow up to last night's story we look into the Tubal Institute where we found that just getting by and keeping their head above water is a full time job.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Six years ago Lyndon and Lavern Bailey took money out of their pockets and opened the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute. It is an alternative school for disadvantaged youths - who normally wouldn't have gotten a second chance. Lyndon Bailey says the school was founded on one basic premise.
Lyndon Bailey,
"It doesn't matter where you come from, it doesn't matter if you are rich or poor. If you set your life to do good - you can achieve what you want to achieve in life."
6 years later the struggle to keep the doors open continue. In fact - Bailey says they are barely able to keep their lights on.
Lyndon Bailey,
"This morning I woke up and I was wondering if they w were going to come and cut out our light - just to show you the sacrifice we go thorough for you."
And now the Baileys have been recognized for that sacrifice. Yesterday they
received a check for 15 thousand from First Caribbean International Bank as a prize for winning the regional unsung hero award.
Lyndon Bailey,
"My heart is filled with joy because two things I wanted to happen to this school. I wanted this school to have big publicity so that people could know about Tubal and then I wanted what I have been telling these kids that something will happen that they could see that what I have been telling them is for real."
There are 101 students currently attending Tubal. The baileys have won a total of $25,000 which they will invest in a vehicle repair project.
Lyndon Bailey,
"What we're trying to do with the funds we received is to open a service center for vehicles and that service center will be used to help us to defray some of the costs, the everyday bills we have to pay within our school."
