Dr. Wayne Frederick, a former president of Howard University, gave $1 million to the Ministry of Education’s Adopt a School initiative during a ministry event on October 29, 2024.
Frederick and Jacqueline Charles, the acting permanent secretary, signed a contract in the presence of Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly. In his speech, Frederick, who overcame sickle cell anemia to pursue a career in surgery and later as a university administrator, expressed his gratitude to Trinidad and Tobago’s public healthcare and education systems, both of which were instrumental in helping him achieve his objectives.
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He expressed thanks by remarking, “This is simply a down payment,” acknowledging that he would never be able to pay back the obligation he owed this society.
He said that T&T’s public education system influenced him after he completed his O’levels at the age of 14 and his A’levels at the age of 16, earning two degrees by the time he was 22. He also remembered his childhood six months of sickle cell therapy.
He stated, “I feel very, very strongly about the youth of this country.”
With reference to his recent visits to various schools in T&T, he stated that he has “absolute faith” in young people and encouraged everyone to foster the humanity of the youth by educating them. He said that it was not only the responsibility of the government and corporations to help craft solutions that would benefit the nation’s youths but also everyone. He claimed that his grandmother had given him confidence when he was a child and that it was now extremely important to instill confidence in young people.
He remarked, “In this society, I intend to be a significant catalyst.”
In her speech, Gadsby-Dolly claimed that the Adopt a School initiative assisted in planning how to “pour” into the lives of the students.
As was the case with gifts to Howard and his alma institution, St. Mary’s College, Frederick stated during the question period that the gift was made in the names of his two children, Wayne Frederick III and Kirie. He wished for his kids to carry on his charitable work in the future.
Reporters were informed by the ministry The donor was free to choose how to use Frederick’s contribution, which was intended for school infrastructure.
“He has been looking at some projects, based on the information we have collected.”
According to her, the government had first requested a list of requirements from many school principals.
“He has made a couple of site visits to schools. Dr Frederick and Mrs Frederick will make their decision very soon and when they make that decision. We will proceed.”
Gadsby-Dolly encouraged everyone to volunteer to mentor local children.
“They may be academically successful but there are other things. There is a lot of mental health pressure and strain, so it is incumbent upon each of us to reach out to young people.”
Two years ago, the government started a volunteer mentorship program, she added.
“We can always use more mentors.”
She said mentors should show consistency in visiting schools to dole out good advice to students.
Gadsby-Dolly said that schools have submitted hundreds of proposals to the government when asked if there was a list of initiatives that philanthropists like Frederick might fund.
Gadsby-Dolly noted, “So we have a lot of information from our schools so that any corporate sponsor donor that is willing to donate to a school can get in touch with Adopt a School, our coordinator and they can provide data.”
She added, “In terms of geography which schools in what area, because sometimes we are asked for a particular area (and) we can provide it by that filter.
Concerning the inclusion of extracurricular activities she stated, “We can also provide by the different types of activity – whether it is a sporting field, a pan theatre or music room or musical equipment.”
