PM Gonsalves sends EC$15,500 of personal funds to help Vincentian students in Jamaica

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has confirmed that he personally transferred EC$15,500 (USD US$5,740) to the Vincentian Students Association in Jamaica (VINSA) to provide immediate relief to 31 Vincentian students affected by Hurricane Melissa.

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Speaking at the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) “North Star” rally in Chateaubelair on Saturday, Gonsalves said the gesture stemmed from a deep sense of compassion for the nation’s youth studying overseas.

“Inside of my heart, I have an overflowing love for every single one of you,” he told supporters. “I don’t like to boast, but I must mention this.”

Gonsalves explained that after contacting VINSA leadership last Thursday, he learned that 31 students urgently needed assistance following the storm’s passage. Rather than wait for government procedures to unfold, he instructed his bank to wire the money directly to the student association the next morning.

“The student organization said they needed help right away. If they could get $500 each, it would tie them over for a couple of weeks with food until more support could come,” Gonsalves said. “I knew the government would take about seven days to send the money because of paperwork. So Friday morning, I called my bank and told them to send the $15,500.”

The prime minister emphasized that his decision was motivated purely by care, not politics. “This is not about politics; it’s about our children, our students, and our duty to care,” he said.

During his remarks, Gonsalves also took aim at Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday, accusing him of being “cheap like a church mouse.” He questioned whether the opposition leader had fulfilled his earlier pledge to help students from the Southern Grenadines affected by Hurricane Beryl in July.

“Ask Friday about his money he promised students,” Gonsalves said. “Friday cheap like a church mouse; that’s a cheap man.”

Friday later said that while pledges were made toward a relief effort for students, not all were fulfilled. He added that he personally matched the funds raised, which were distributed among affected students, though he did not specify the total amount.

The Vincentian students in Jamaica are reported safe, according to VINSA, and continue to receive support as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa’s widespread damage in late October.