Hands Across the Sea, Inc.

Since receiving the thoughtful and lovely donation from Hands Across the Sea, many of the students have excitedly marveled and perused over the beautiful books! Several students asked that I set aside a book for them, so they could check it out when they had their library time. Being able to receive a variety of new books is incredible because it allows the students to learn new things, fall in love with reading and use their imagination and creativity. I am very appreciative of the generous support from Hands Across the Sea. Their donation of books allows us to share different books with the students and also use the books to better help students in literacy. As an advocate of books and learning, I recognize the power a book can have in influencing a student’s life for the better, and Hands Across the Sea helps support the betterment of students.

We at Colihaut Primary School have benefited from hands across the sea for many years.

Our school library has greatly benefited from the concept of "hands across the sea" in numerous ways. Through international collaborations and partnerships, we have been able to expand our collection of books, resources, and educational materials. By connecting with libraries in other countries, we have gained access to a wider range of literature, research publications, and cultural artifacts that enhance the learning experience for our students.

Additionally, cross-border exchanges have allowed us to participate in global literacy initiatives, programs, and projects that promote reading and education. By sharing best practices and learning from libraries in different parts of the world, we have been able to improve our services, engage our students more effectively, and foster a culture of lifelong learning.

Moreover, through technology and communication advancements, we have been able to connect with libraries worldwide to facilitate virtual book clubs, author talks, and educational webinars. These virtual exchanges have opened up new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cultural understanding among students and educators from diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, international partnerships have enabled us to create diverse and inclusive library collections that reflect the richness of global perspectives and experiences. By incorporating materials from different cultures and languages, we promote multiculturalism, empathy, and respect for diversity within our school community.

In essence, the concept of "hands across the sea" has significantly enriched our school library by providing access to a wealth of resources, fostering global connections, and promoting cultural exchange and understanding. By embracing collaboration on an international level, we continue to expand our horizons, inspire curiosity, and empower our students to become informed global citizens.

Park View Pre School Testimonial for Hands Across the Seas

For the past three(3) years we are part of this programme. It helps enable us to express our creativity and help us to be consistent in reading with the children.
It encourages collaboration with children, parents and teachers. It gives a wider understanding of how to express themselves through reading.
The children are eager to explore, go to the library area by themselves without an adult.
It encourages the parents creativity and showcases children ability to draw.
All aspects of the Kdi’s were enhance lots of sentence structure, words formation and even to the point of paraphrasing constantly by themselves.

I am Anita Benjamin, the mother of Giovanni Dottin who attends the River View Preschool. My journey with the Hands Across the Sea program began with our first story which we have presented on today. W have accomplished six other books. Some of my favourites were No David, the napping House and Is your mama a Llama. We enjoyed looking at the stories on Youtube and talking about them it was lots of fun.
However, I must admit that it was no easy task at first since I had to juggle my daily activities and fitting in another routine was frustrating. Despite this, I have grown to appreciate the program since it brought many benefits. I was able to identify my son’s strengths and weaknesses as well as mine. For instance, I was very impatient and wanted him to learn everything at once as I teach him to pronounce words and form letters. I discovered that my son leatn best through play and singing. I was able to understand my son better and vice versa, learn to resolve problems and restart.
I must admit, that these stories played an important role in my child’s development. He learn manners, educational and literacy knowledge and skills through laughter. As a parent I will like say a special thank you to the Hands Across the Sea organization for allowing the school and by extension parents to help improve our childrens' cognitive, physical, social, creative and emotional abilities.
I will take this with me as my son move on to primary school, “Reading is the key to take you where you want to be.
Thank you and may God bless you!!!!

Teacher: Campbell Primary -Dominica

Hands across the Sea has done an excellent job by providing a wide array of books for all the students at the school. The library is now alive and active. Students are always eager to go to the library to read a book. They often read the same books more than once because they love them so much. The students take pride in borrowing their books and have become quite responsible. It has also made my job so much easier. I use the books often for my sessions and also for my own enjoyment. I too love to read children's books. Thank you Hands across the Sea. You are appreciated!

Campbell Primary School

From a proud mother
Hands across the sea has no only benefited my kids but all the kids attending the school, this organization has blessed us with books so that each child has the opportunity to read a book, reading is very fundamental in our little ones lives and for that we are grateful.
We get to see the kids widden their imagination span and become more creative, their vocabulary increases and they are able to read without any difficulty. The books donated to the school gives each student the privilege to learn how to read. Hands across the sea has not only changed the lives of our kids but so many kids from around the world.

The Belles Primary school Library in the Commonwealth of Dominica started when we received our first shipment of books from Hands Across the Seas. A small area was set up specifically for that purpose.
The books brought smiles to our children's faces and they were eager to begin using them.
The literacy level has improved drastically. The children visit the library daily. Classroom mini libraries have also been set up in every classroom.
Thank you Hands Across the Seas for helping to broaden the minds of our children. You have helped them to visit unknown places. These books have helped to boost their imagination and have helped them to become better writers

Hands Across the Sea has been a tremendous blessings and a major improvement in the development of our school.

At the Park View Pre School we have made Reading and the interaction with the Library a major part of our daily routine at school. Since the program was introduced to our school we have seen the improvement and major interest in using books for all purposes such as a lesson, as recreation time and also just admiring the physical shape of the Library. Children visit the class library without even being tell by teachers.There is an improvement in phonics and word pronounciation, children vocabulary are increased and as a result children are able to create sentences on their very own.

Some benefits of Hands Across the Sea program in the Park View Pre School are as follows:

1. It enables children to show more interest and a love for books.
2. There has been a unity between Teachers and parents working hand in hand to enable students development in reading and understanding the use of books.
3. It helps student tremendously with their vocabulary, writing and creative Art skills.
4. It helps children to know that we can use books for many different purpose such as to find information and for leisure.
5. It also promotes read aloud so children will develop a love for books.

We at the Park View Pre School wants to extend a big thank you to Hands Across the Sea and their donor for all that they have done and still doing to help with the upliftment and improvement of the children at our school. We are indeed very greatful.

Boguis Primary School

We are very grateful for Hands Across the Sea books donation to our school. At the time the donation was make we were in great need of books that would assist with the teaching learning process. Teachers find the resources quite useful in their classes as a teaching aid. The books are very easy to use by both teachers and learner. As a result learning is more fun.

At our school, encouraging the love for reading is one of our focus areas. Having a variety of books that students can choose from for them to read is a motivator for students. Additionally, they are at varying levels of difficulty making it possible for everyone to find sometng that they are interested in and they can read. Students cannot wait for library time to read for pleasure. Some students track certain books and as soon as one reader is done someone is already on a waiting list to get access to it.

It give me great joy to see the reading interests of students increase. Students read more now because we have books for them to choose from. Teachers are happier because these resources are available to them.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea for making teaching and learning easier at Boguis Primary School.

Hands Across the Sea has brought joy to the school life of students at the Gros-Islet Primary School for many years. It is so rewarding to see students (particularly boys) give up their playtime during the lunch break to come in to the library to read the many interesting books provided by Hands Across the Sea. Our school's library has become a lively, colorful and vibrant place for students to spend time reading. The many books provided by Hands Across the Sea also serve as resource materials for teachers to use during their lessons.

As a result of the quality of materials provided by Hands, the principal saw it fitting to schedule timetabled sessions during the school day for classes to come to the library to utilize the materials.

Students are very excited about borrowing books to take home to read to family members ( particularly their younger siblings). Parents no longer feel the need to go to the stores to purchase storybooks for their child. Why should they? When our library is well equipped with more interesting books. Thanks to Hands Across the Sea!

With the introduction of the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) to St.Lucia recently, the books from the library have served as the primary resource for students to complete their book report which is one component of the Exam. Students are able to select books at their reading level and interest. Thanks to Hands Across the Sea!

Gros-Islet Primary School is so grateful to Hands Across the Sea. You have allowed our students to travel to many places through reading, even during the pandemic. Continue to bring smiles to our kids.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea!

Hands has consistently provided our school with brand new books that cater to both males and females. Our students are excited about reading these books, especially those that are culturally relevant.

Dominica ������������ Kelleb John Laurent Primary school.
We are thankful for the contribution of books over the years which has enhanced our library and have broaden our students imagination over the years.

Joycelyn Liburd primary School
Principal - Ms.Barbara Hendrickson

The Joycelyn Liburd Primary school has benefitted greatly from the generous donations from Hands Across the Sea. Some years ago a shipment of books came to the island and the school received many of those books to supplement our reading materials. These were placed in the classrooms for Class Libraries in the absence of space for a school library. In 2018, books were donated to the school by Hands Across the Sea and for this occasion the school created a small space called a “Reading Nook” to accommodate this timely donation. Through the assistance of Library Funds, the school built two bookshelves and thus students were able to access the books. Miss Heidi Fagerberg was very instrumental in assisting us in getting ready to start the lending process. She travelled from St. Kitts on numerous occasion to encourage the process. The Reading Nook was a source of excitement because suddenly students were involved in browsing and borrowing books. During February of 2018, Tom and Harriett Linsky along with some members of the Four Seasons Homeowners Foundation visited and were quite pleased with the Reading Nook. Fast forward to 2022 where we currently have a more spacious room that we can own as the Library. What a transformation that has caused! The school librarian can now host classes and have lessons in that space. Students are involved in borrowing books and are even hiding them in their tables to read during the classroom lessons. Some students are seizing the opportunity to read during lunch break. That is awesome because there are so many other benefits to be derived from reading. In the new curriculum for Grade 5, emphasis was placed on providing students with the opportunity to be exposed to different genres of books. The library is being used to promote this. Thanks to Hands Across the Sea for inspiring a push to set up the “Reading Nook” which has now led to a proper space for a Library.

Joycelyn Liburd Primary
Grade 5 Orioles – Mrs. Roxanne Webbe
Our country is currently piloting a new curriculum that seeks to offer more student responsive instruction and assessment pedagogies. One of the goals at the Grade 5 level, for instance, is for “students to demonstrate a variety of ways to select and engage critically with a range of culturally diverse paper based visual and digital text for a variety of purposes”. Reflecting upon those goals, I saw the need for students to be able to access a library, for which I advocated. At the time, neither a community nor a library at the school level was accessible.
However, Thanks to “Hands Across the Sea” for several donations of books and supplies over the years, as well as expert advice, and guidance, we were able to create a space and start an effective school library system.
Our students welcomed the opportunity for the library experience. My class, on their return from the first visit to the library, they seemed eager.
Most of the students exclaimed, “Library is fun!”
Another, upon seeing the tag behind the book, blurted out, “Thank you, Hands Across the Sea” for sending us this lovely comic book!”
However, my most profound and heartwarming experience is seeing one of my struggling readers, selecting a book of her interest and reading ability, reading it, telling about it, and returning it well ahead of return date., just so she can borrow another and another. She was being encouraged by her mom, who made the time to read with her and shows the interest in seeing her daughter reading skills improved.
Generally, children are seen reading during recess, in their classrooms, in the staircases and even standing on the corridors. Our students have been aroused to reading and personally I seek to spur them on and effect positive change in our culture of reading, even as I expect to see much improvement in the literacy level of our students.

I will like to say thank you to Hands Across the Sea and all the donors to this wonderful organization. About 14 years ago the Brighton Methodist School in St. Vincent had a project for a library but all we got was the space for the library that was equipped with couple shelves. The school had to source books and sadly what we got were books that were not child friendly, simply put they were outdated. The students were just not interested in going to the library. These students are mostly from low socioeconomic backgrounds where books are not a mainstay in the home. Thus, the students had almost nothing to practice the reading skills they were taught in the classroom. The only reading they did was in the classroom. Then, about three years ago Mrs. Pompey who works with the Hands Across the Sea organization in St. Vincent informed us that the organization wanted to refurbish the school's library. Honestly, I wasnt interesting in the project because of my love for reading I knew the sort of books the children should be reading but they didnt have access to and I thought that it was another sorting through more dump books project. However, I never regretted my decision to be involved in this project although it was a lot of work I must admit. The project opened my eyes to the wonderful world of this Library system ( yellow, blue, green and red tag books). My student Librarians and I learned a lot and we worked together along with the staff and the Hands Across the Sea organisation to create a child friendly world of reading for the students. When the library officially opened, our school was well on the way to creating a reading culture. The enthusiasm of the students made all the hard work well worth it. We had so many students showing up to the library that we had to create a schedule and library time was also timetabled for every class in the school. However, what was impressive about the Hands Across the Sea organisation was that they didnt give us the books and move on, they still monitored and required record keeping. Also, during the pandemic the organization played a vital role in ensuring that the students were still able to access books even if they were now in the digital format. So, I raise my invisible hat to this wonderful organization, including the donors) and I'm pleased to be associated with you.

The principal and staff of the Park View Pre School in Grenada express our heartfelt thank you to Hands Across the Sea for their generous support and donations of books to our school. Hands Across the Sea in collaboration with literacy Links allowed us to help develop our children’s love for books and reading through their initiative.

The staff worked together and supported each other well throughout the pilot program, and this helped build teamwork among us. It allowed us to see our potential as we came up with innovative ideas for the children that were specific to each book.

The books were that we received were age-appropriate and they kept the children interested, thus aiding in their literacy and communication development. The stories boosted their conversation level as they became more alert and were able to relate to pictures from the stories and connected it to their daily lives.

Overall, we intend to continue using the books to increase the development of our children in different areas of the curriculum as we were able to get lessons and activities from; mathematics, Language and Literacy, Science, and Social Studies. Thank you once again for your investment into the minds of the future!

Hands Across the sea and the Mustique Charatable Trust has transformed the library experience of the staff and students of the Calder Government School. What a transformation!

Our library is now very colourful and child friendly. Students look forward to spending time reading books in the library or borrowing books to read at home.

Reading seems to be very contagious these days. Teachers have also been enjoying the captivating stories found in these books.

There are books for every one!!

Thank you for empowering our students with these wonderful books. May you continue the great work.

The staff and students of the Kingstown Government School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are very grateful to have received books from Hands Across the Sea. This donation comprised of resource books as well as a variety of books from different genres which are of interest to our girls as well as our boys. We have seen more students reading as there are books at different grade levels to allow students to feel comfortable reading and achieving success. The books also provide a wide choice for students to complete their book reports for CPEA and assist us in achieving our goal of having students read at or above their grade level. Some parents have expressed their delight in seeing their child who was struggling achieve some measure of success in reading. Our school was a shelter following the eruption of La Soufriere volcano and we were able to loan books to some of the children to pass their time meaningfully as well as to help them psycho-socially. Thank you Hands Across the Sea! May God continue to bless you so you can be a blessing to others.

We at the Tete Morne Primary School are indeed grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their contribution of books to our school. Their donations have served us in many positive ways. We are able to set up class libraries where students have books at their disposal. Reading books will help build students' vocabulary; develop Comprehension skills; enhance imagination ; improve writing skills; expand knowledge and understanding of the outside world. Thanks to Hands Across the Sea and and their donors.

For many years ,we have been receiving books from Hands Across the Sea.We know for a fact that Hands Across the Sea is passionate about children and their literacy skills.
At the Campbell Primary School in the Commonwealth of Dominica has been a beneficiary of story and also Resource Books.
Our library is stock with different genre of books for the boys and girls. It also gives the students the opportunity to read books that interest them.
Teachers and students are excited about the library and the activities we have implemented.
We say, thank you, Hands Across the Sea.
Hilda

The Dublanc Primary School in Diminica has been a recipient of story books from Hands Across the Sea.
These books were culture and age appropriate, adequate, and quite fun.
We have a school library and every class is also equipped with a reading corner. These books serve an apt purpose and align with our vision of creating a reading nation.
The staff and students are grateful for these timely and well thought of gestures from this organization.

Thanks to Hands Across the Sea, our library at Bense Primary School in the Commonwealth of Dominica is well furnished with a wide variety of books from different genres. The library is currently a place where our students, teachers and community members can research, and enjoy a good book. May Hands Across the Sea continue to be blessed .

It was an overwhelming experience for the staff and students of the Leeward District SDA Primary School. It had been a dream of all and we looked forward with great anticipation. This dream became a reality, thanks to the dedication and commitment of Hands Across the Sea and Mustique Charitable Trust. The reopening of the school’s library was welcomed with joy and excitement highlighting our theme "Reading- the Gateway to Success".

It gave students the opportunity to open the gateway that leads to their success. This gateway will take them on lifelong journeys that will stretch their imaginations, open their eyes and take them to places they never thought of.

Since the reopening of the library, both students and teachers have been using every opportunity to utilize the books and materials. Each class was given a scheduled library time where the teacher takes the students to read or to do a lesson. This too is enjoyed by the students.

It is with grateful hearts that we say a special thank you and show great appreciation to Hands Across the Sea and Mustique Charitable Trust. May God continue to bless you as you spread love and joy to the hearts of many.

We would like to thank Hands Across the Sea for their unwavering support of our remedial and special needs programs at our school; Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. The provision of the remedial kits inclusive of the Decode and Develop readings books and the other resources such as the word tiles , bingo games and banana grams have been very beneficial to our remedial and special needs students thus far. After assessing our students and grouping them according to remedial and special needs, our teachers try to design lessons that address their challenges; this of course includes developing resources that can aid in the delivery of the lesson and or the understanding of language concepts. The resources donated by Hands Across the Sea make our jobs so much easier since we can just select one of the resources that apply to our lesson and at the same time give our students the opportunity to engage in hands on manipulatives that appeal to their interest and attention span.
The Decode and Develop books are used to teach every part of speech in the English language, comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, sentence structure and punctuation. The books are even used to develop thinking and writing skills as students can be allowed to continue the stories within their own context. The topics explored in the books attract teenagers attention and appeal to their interest. The Bingo games are a favorite. Apart from teaching vocabulary and consolidating sight words, it allows students the opportunity to collaborate and communicate with their peers depending of course on how dynamic the teacher becomes with his/her activities. The banana grams and word tiles are becoming very popular among student activities, as we have recently been using them more often to develop our students writing skills specifically spelling and sentence structure.
The provisions made by Hands Across the Sea are invaluable to our students literacy development a.nd we anticipate the further progress of our remedial students in oral, reading and writing development We hope that our relationship with this non profit organization continues to grow in the hope of curbing the poor literacy skills of our secondary school students.

Regards
Janin John - Gaillard
Literacy Specialist (SISSS)

Irishtown Primary School We have been so happy with the donation from Hands Across the Sea. The children came and put together the floor mat that was sent. It was like putting a large puzzle together and they really enjoyed it. It has been a great addition for children to be able to sit on the mat during library time. The Fly Guy has been such a hit. The children love the characters and are asking for more from that series. It is so wonderful to see them get excited about reading. They are loving Diary of a Wimpy Kid as well. It has been wonderful for me to use guided reading books in the boxes with our grade five and six students. The topics in the books are relevant and I can do group reading with them and they can interact and answer questions. More guided reading sets for all grade levels would be extremely helpful for our students, myself and the teachers. Hands Across the Sea has delivered books that the children are interested in and it is making the students want to read more. We are so very happy to see these outcomes. On behalf of the Irishtown Primary School, we would like to say that Hands Across the Sea delivers and supports us.

Hands Across the Sea has given birth to a new idea of setting up a library and resource area at Windsor Forest Pre-school in Grenada. A lot of work was done to enhance the learning environment at our school. Despite of our effort there was still a space in the setting that was underutilized. Thanks to our friends from Hands Across the Sea who acted as the midwife through their kind and generous donation of books and resource materials in bringing that idea to birth.
While awaiting the delivery, all hands came on board to do whatever was necessary in preparing for our gift. Preparation included painting of the floor, constructing and painting of the bookshelf.
The books were received. The library and resource area were set up. One can only imagine what a joy it was to see how happy the children were when they were introduced to the area. Every day after lunch they look forward to going into the area to read their favorite books. Sometimes they choose books and ask their teacher to read to them. They are able to associate and make connection from books to their favorite You Tube videos like Pepper Pig, Dr. Seuss and much more. Teachers also used the books and resource materials to aid in the teaching of the curriculum during small group, large group and plan-Do-Review time.
Parents were also impressed with what they saw. This was the exact words of a parent, “no wonder why Jaydon wants to make me crazy to read to him, so nice.”

It was indeed a kind gesture by our partners at Hands Across the Sea. We will be forever be grateful.


Thank you so much.

Galine Andrews
Teacher in-charge

Hands Across Sea is our major donor of books for our library, at the St.George's S.D.A. Primary School, in Grenada. The library is fully functional and the students are enjoying the books. The books are used by the teachers to teach various concepts and skills in all subject areas. Students wear I Love Reading badges which indicates to others that they are independent readers. The books are used in innovative ways to reinforce lessons taught or to teach a new lesson. For example, struggling readers tell parts of a story from pictures only while independent readers read and find the parts of a story.
I will post some photos/videos next time. One of our upcoming activity is, the students who are now on a second library card will be presented with certificates.

WoodfordHill Primary School
Dominica

In September of 2017, our entire library -books and other resources- was destroyed by Hurricane Maria. For months, students had virtually nothing to read except the recommended reading text on their book list and a few readers that had survived the storm. The students were overjoyed when the books from Hands Across the Sea came in. Our school was on a shift system, sharing the plant of another school. There was no available space to have the books out for use. However, each class was assigned a set of books which were rotated among the students. We are now back in our plant, and are using a class library method of borrowing books. With the assistance of Hands across the Sea, we are expecting to begin the reconstruction of our library this month so that in the new term the library will be fully functional. Through school visits, emails and calls by our literacy link and the cofounders, we are given much needed assistance, encouragement and support. The education of our students is being greatly enhanced.

The students and staff of the WoodfordHill Primary School express heartfelt thanks to the donors whose generosity has made this all possible. A simple 'thanks' to Hands Across the Sea does not seem enough. Your work in facilitating this scheme is unrivaled. Your desire to see the realization of a literate world cannot be questioned. We are indeed grateful for your partnership with us.

Kristy Alexander
Principal (Ag)

The principal, staff and students of the Evesham Methodist School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are extremely grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their generous contribution to our school’s library.

The brightly coloured painted room was just a beautiful room until the books arrived. Now we have a library stocked with a wide variety of interesting, informative and attractive reading materials that has heighten the student’s interest in reading. It is a joy to see boys who previously showed little interest in reading engrossed in the books.

The teaching learning experience has been enhanced by the provision of the Teachers Resource Guide and the staff greatly appreciates the opportunity to interact with and use these materials in their lessons.

Because of Hands Across the Sea all students passing through our school are now afforded a library experience that enhances their reading and by extension their lives.

Thanks to Hands Across the Sea and sponsors for making our dream of a school library a reality.

St. Patrick’s Anglican School, Grenada
Literacy skills are of paramount importance for life long success both academically and otherwise. “Hands across the Sea” through their support of donating books for our school’s makeshift library has had a positive impact on the literacy acquisition of our students. Students’ motivation and interest in reading has been elevated throughout the school. “There has been a significant intensification of our students’ interest and participation in reading activities. Our records have shown a phenomenal increase in the number of books borrowed and read by our students. The partnership provided by “Hands across the Sea” has brought fruition in improving Literacy skills and by extension delivering a better quality of education to our students. We look forward to continue this vital partnership and extend heartfelt gratitude for the support given by providing books for our library.

Wilma Alexander (Ms.)
Principal

The desire to set up a library for use by the students of the Mt. Moritz Anglican School in Grenada proved very challenging in the beginning. This challenge did not come about out of lack of the main ingredient that is ‘books for lending’, thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of our friends from Hands Across the Sea, but rather, out of the need to find adequate and suitable space/ room for such project.

Initially, the space identified for set up of the library was used as a storeroom for the school. This room was dark, unpainted, untiled, unlighted with no windows or shelves. Following a visit by Tom and a local links representative, it was decided that we will have to make it work as there were no alternative in the immediate future.

Voluntary efforts by a Contractor in the area who serves as maintenance handyman to the school, saw the clearing, cleaning, smoothing of the walls and painting of the said room within one day. However, the issue of lighting and air remained a concerned, since metaphorically, books likes and needs air and light to breathe.

Although, the identified room was being worked on, the Principal was still not happy with the chosen room and continued to weigh and measure alternative space within the school until the visit by local Links officers Mrs. Gloria Bonaparte and Mrs. Bernadette John.
Alas! Following careful observation and much discussions, it was agreed that the library can be housed jointly with the School’s Staffroom and or IT room.

Hence the grand Library launch and opening was held on 26th March, 2019.

ST. ANDREW’S METHODIST SCHOOL, Grenada
A visit from the Directors of Hands Across the Sea was like a bright ray in a storm. Receiving the notice that we’ll be getting books from Hands Across the Sea was a very pleasing occurrence when we were trying to put things in place for the students of our school. When the books came it was like being a child at Christmas receiving gifts from a loved one. Seeing the looks on the faces of the teachers and students when they started using the books was priceless.

Getting assistance from Mrs. Britton, then Mrs. John and Mrs. Bonaparte came just in time for a Grade 2 intervention program we were undergoing at the school, where having a proper functioning library was crucial. As a result teachers and students of grade 2 were able to visit this library of amazing books and other resources to motivate students to read more. Students started coming in large groups without their teacher, during their lunch break to read at the library. Not only were the grade 2 students coming, but much interest was shown from grade 1 students and grade 5 as well. Many grade 5 students started burrowing the books to go home as well. We are greatly looking forward to expanding the operations of the library very soon. We are very thankful of Hands Across the Sea and its Donors for your kindness and generosity.

Our Library at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Morne Jaloux, Grenada has now taken on a new look, a brighter atmosphere and an enticing set of books so generously donated by Hands-Across-The-Sea. From the time our children saw those new books, it was like Christmas for them! Indeed, they have become more motivated to read and to use the Library more often. In a sense, this has opened them to what we have written on the entrance to our Library: ‘…Sir Readalot’s Castle, …the Kingdom of BOOKS!’

Although we do not have a Librarian as yet, we do have ten student Librarians, who have now adopted the Library as their own personal baby. They enthusiastically defend the Library ‘territory’ as they fearlessly remind students it is a sacred reading space. In one case, they even ‘arrested’ a group of three students who were really speaking too loudly and refused to co-operate with the Library rules. They transported the students to my office, well-guarded on either side by the student librarians, where they read out the charges against them and the student librarians would not move until the case was adequately dealt with. Their faithfulness to their charge as student librarians, is very admirable. They have been giving very good suggestions and ideas as to how we can continue to develop and improve the Library, as they suggested having the rules written in large, bold letters in prominent areas on the walls of the Library, as a reminder to the students. They also said the children enjoy the chapter books very much, so we should get a lot more of them. What a joy to hear!

One student Librarian in particular, Tiffani, has become the unofficial leader of the group of Librarians, as she oversees their performance and calls them to order when they forget to do their duty or slip up. In one case, she brought a situation to me for verification, as she said:
“Sister, each of these two children already have a book out which they borrowed and have not returned as yet. They came today to borrow another one and I told them ‘no’, they cannot borrow a whole set of books, they have to return the last one before the can borrow another! Then they said they would report me! I told them they have to respect the Library rules!”
On afternoons, these student Librarians come to check that the books are in order at the end of the day, and they also turn off the lights and the air condition unit, and lock up before leaving for home. They are to be admired for their performance and dedication, in the absence of a Librarian.

Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic School

Being able to read is one of life greatest treasure and accomplishment. As an institution we have realised the importance of reading and more so providing students with the avenues they need to harness their literacy skills. For a long time our school struggled to get our library up and running. However, with the thoughtful and generous assistance of our friends of Hands Across the Sea, this dream is finally realised. Today our institution can boast of its lovely library that is so able to provide books that are interesting, culturally relevant and age appropriate for our over two hundred students. For this, we are extremely grateful and we can assure you that your labour of love won’t go in vain. We have put measures in place to ensure the longevity of the library and its contents. We look forward to the continued support and once again we say a hearty thank you for your generosity

Cecilia St. Louis-Donald (BEd.)

We at the Colonarie primary School are forever grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their generous donation of books of varying levels. our children have a problem with reading so after receiving the books, our goal was to have all our children developing a love for reading. so to obtain our goal, we have implemented two major strategies. A borrowing system for children from kindergarten to Grade 6, the teachers take on the role of librarians and children, with the help of their parents and guardians read their books and present an oral or written report. This is going well because all teachers are on board and also many parents. The second strategy is where every teacher is required to do a language Arts lesson in the literacy room using the materials provided from Hands Across the Sea. The Kindergarten do not miss this session and the majority of teachers are doing well, however, there is a need for more in dept planning for this session. For the new school year, the teachers will utilize the Teachers Resource Guide to plan effectively. Hands Across the sea we say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! and wish you success in all your en-devours.

The Principal , staff and students of Grenada Christian Academy are eternally grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their contribution towards improving Literacy at the school . The contribution of books for our library provided the students with the opportunity to be expose to literature they may not necessarily encounter in their community .
The donation of the Remedial Reading Kit was such an extra blessing . The search for appropriate reading materials was over . It was no longer practicing reading skills with "baby books " , but enjoying stories they can connect with . The discussion became lively and students now are more eager to read . It is not just a great experience for the students but also for me as a teacher . I learn from my kids too as they share on the various topics . The story " Hip-Hop" was one such case and it broaden my understanding of a different kind of music from my students point of view . The materials in the kit provide a wonderful way of making reading interesting , interactive and fun . Having the Remedial Reading Kit has truly enhanced the teaching / learning process . Thank you once again Hands Across the Sea and we look forward to our continued partnership . Keep up the "GREAT" work .

We, from the St. Clair Dacon Secondary School, are deeply touched and grateful for the contributions received from the Hands Across the Seas organization throughout the years. Our library has seen significant improvement in the collection of reading material available to all our students and teachers but the impact of the organizations generosity on our remedial students throughout the years has truly been incomparable and invaluable. Their kind donations have motivated our students and facilitated their learning throughout the years. Because of their contributions, more students have become members of our library and many have become better readers.
Their latest donation of the Remedial Reading Toolkit has sparked much interests among these students as they interact with the manipulatives which make up the kit. During the lunch break, students would excitedly rush to the Literacy Room to compete with each other as they launch into the Bingo games. These games do not only create excitement but also improvement in students' ability to spell words correctly was noted.
The toolkit material also provided ideas and guidance for teachers in planning their lessons. Apart from these resources, the organization's generosity in organizing workshops for teachers facilitated by professionals in the field of literacy allowed teachers to benefit from expert advice and the practical interventions illustrated by these facilitators. Teachers who attended such workshops always left enthused and motivated to apply strategies that can be effectively employed in their classrooms and other skills they would have acquired.
There is no doubt that this organization has to date made the greatest impact on our school. We will always be grateful for its contributions and look forward for more support especially in the area of literacy and numeracy. God bless Hands Across the Seas, a lifeline indeed!!

The Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre, Ciceron , Castries in Saint Lucia , Principal, teachers' students' and their parents' are one big family. The Principal, staff and all students' know our theme song 'Welcome to the Family'. i therefore considered Hands across the Seas and all the partners/sponsors to be part of our Family.
I am so grateful to see the excitement and joy this organisation has made to our School. We now have realized our dream of having our School Library, which is named after the Cynthia Weekes who was our first principal.

The students' love the colours and the variety of books that they can read and enjoy. A teacher loved the fact that key words in the Geronmino Stilton book series highlight in key words in colour and these words are repeated throughout the book.
I personally like the diversity of the range of books that have been donated. This was really important for our School as we serve students who are hearing impaired and to have books that satisfy their needs is really rewarding.

I say once again, thank you to Hand Acroos the Seas, donors, sponsors and partners for making the Library at Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre a reality.

We are indeed grateful for the books and materials Hands Across the Sea has sent to Golden Grove Primary School in Antigua. We pray and hope that you continue to extend this great charity of yours to us. You can be assured that our children and teachers will utilize any books and resources you send, as previously done in the past. The supervision of these books and resources given is coordinated through the Remedial Reading Program.

Your books and resources have assisted us greatly. Our school receives a very limited amount of books from the government, which may be due to the fact that we do not have a physical building for a library. The books we receive from you are kept in our reading room. Then these books are sent to the various class rooms for our students to take home, specifically our kindergarten to grade 2 students. Our student librarians, from the reading room monitor and assist with this process. The grades 3 to 6 classes have shelves and boxes in their classes; so some books are sent to these classes. Here, class librarians in each class monitor and lend books to their fellow students.

Additionally, our books from you play a critical role in the delivery of our remedial reading program. At these classes, it is compulsory that our remedial students take home books at the end of their instructional sessions. This aspect has greatly enhanced our remedial program. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We look forward to your assistance in future endeavors.

Stacy Davis
Remedial Reading Teacher

Greetings to all,
The Staff and students of the Beanefield Comprehensive Secondary School in St. Lucia extend sincere gratitude to Hands Across the Sea for the contribution to our school's library. We are indeed pleased with the variety of books which we received. The various reference texts are used by staff members to enhance teaching. They were pleased to have some of these texts at their disposal. Additionally, the students look forward to reading the range of fiction novels which were received. Your contribution made it possible to establish a school library and for this we are extremely grateful. THANK YOU!

Dieppe Bay Primary School
St Kitts

Greeting to all. On behalf of the principal, staff, and students of the Dieppe Bay Primary School in St Kitts, I would like to express our appreciation by saying thanks to Hands Across the Sea for their generosity.
The books have been very helpful and resourceful. I have used the book entitled, The Right Shoes for Me!,for Kindergarten children. It is a tie, buckle and zip shoe book. It has a shoelace in it that I ask the children to practice tying. This eventually would help them to tie their own shoelaces.
I use the Holiday Activity Book for grade five and six which they also find interesting. The Educational DVD,'Brain Quest' is an activity which the children look forward to. This activity challenges their mind while having fun. I put in the DVD and give them the remote so they can click on it themselves. This they cannot seem to get enough of. It is a DVD for grade one to three but I use it for four and five also.
I also would like to thank you for Reading Mat. That is a blessing from above. I had a rug in the library that I had thrown out for it was very dusty and unhealthy for the children. Now the children look forward to sitting on the mat every time they visit the library.
I also attended the TRG workshop over summer 2018, organised by Heidi Fagerberg. Some of the sessions were facilitated by Jennifer Thrift of South Carolina. The workshop was very informative and educational. At the workshop, I obtained a lot of ideas to get children reading books. Some of these are book dating, book sale, readathon. I also learned a lot about
the different types of books available. Thanks to Hands across the Sea again for making it possible. Thanks to the donors. "Be not weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap if you faint not. Galatians 6:9.

It is with sincerest appreciation that the Principal, Staff and students of the Questelles Government School express gratitude to Hands Across the Sea for your generous donation of books to our school library.

Your donation has brought about a renewed interest in reading as our library has become a "Lending Library'. The selection of books caters for the diverse reading abilities and as a result, no child is deprived of reading material. The exuberance displayed by our students when it is library time is a sight to behold. The Series books are on the students' "Top-notch" list.

The material allocated as teaching resources are contributing to the enhancement of Literacy instruction. We are delighted to be a beneficiary of this wonderful organization.
Thank you, Hands Across the Sea! Long live your organization! We look forward to your continued support.

Mauricia M

The donation from Hands Across the Sea to the Literacy Centre at my school was greatly appreciated and a valuable addition to our efforts in supporting literacy development amongst our high school students. The Decode books were high interest and low readability which captured the students' attention. The students were able to make connections to the text that they were reading, and develop their comprehension and spelling skills. Further, the additional materials donated allowed the students to be engaged in different activities that made reading fun for struggling learners in the classroom. The teachers' guide provided support activities to further enhance student learning. Hands Across the Sea has been a blessing to developing literacy in my school. Thanks a million!

M. Chatham

Good day all just wanted to give a big thank you to Hands Across the Sea for the great workshop which Mrs.Hannah Knecht conducted in Antigua in March of this year. Hannah introduced the Teachers Resource Guide which has a plethora of great ideas for teaches to utilize. The TRG workshop was very informative and the teachers were very excited about the wealth if information they received. Personally the workshop gave me added encouragement to go to my school and use the TRG to enhance my everyday instruction.
once again thank you for your continued support to our school and our Twin Island State.
Luanda Simon-Haywood
Reading Coach
Liberta Primary School

On behalf of Kids Unlimited School in Antigua, I cannot say enough wonderful things about Hands Across the Sea. They have been instrumental in us creating and maintaining an excellent library that our students love. My heart broke one day when I noticed a student smelling a book to decide if she wanted to check it out. With the amazing new books provided by Hands Across the Sea, we were able to get rid of the old, outdated, musty books. Now our library is stocked with current, interesting and relevant books that the students love.

As a librarian, I love to sit back and listen to the students' conversations during library time. They discuss the latest Geronimo Stilton book they read and the next Diary of a Wimpy Kid book they want to read. They look through the beautiful picture books and exclaim "look how cool this is!" to their peers. Others sit and read quietly, lost in the world of a book.

This organization doesn't just talk the talk, they walk the walk - the on-island, hands-on support is outstanding. On behalf of the students, principal, staff and myself (as volunteer librarian), I'd like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the staff and donors of Hands Across the Sea. With your support and generosity we now have a "cool" library that the students are proud of!

The Stephanie Browne Primary School Clifton, Union Island has been receiving support with books and school supplies from the Hands Across The Seas since 2011 and has been, every year since.

It was indeed a well needed supplement for the School Library. It helps to make the children have fun reading a variety of books and open up their minds to being inquisitive about things happening in the world.

Thank You Very much Hands Across the Seas.

The Charlewsorth T Samuel Primary School in Antigua has benefitted from the donation of books from Hands Across the Sea. Our students have a renewed interest in Reading. We were able to set up individual classroom libraries and reading corners. The students look forward to relaxing in the reading corners with a book during our Drop Everything And Read sessions. We will be doing our best to get a school library established in the upcoming school year. Thanks, Hands Across the Sea.

Lauders Primary School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has benefited tremendously from donations from Hands Across the Sea. In the Fall of 2017, we received a windfall of wonderful leveled readers, including the King Series with small tubs to keep them neatly shelved. These we have used daily with students to motivate them and improve their reading. It was especially helpful to be given multiple copies of books for small group teaching and guided reading practice. In addition, Hands Across the Sea provided materials to process the books. The administrators of the Hands Across the Sea program personally visited our school to see how we were doing with the new materials and to get feedback about the program. It is a blessing to have their help and it has indeed positively impacted our reading program and student success. I like the practice Hands Across the Sea uses of asking schools for a wish list and striving to meet the request with suitable books.
Marcia Peters
Head Teacher
Lauders Primary School

The staff and students of the St. John's Christian Secondary School are extremely grateful for the generous donation of books received from Hands Across the Sea, Inc over the years.
The books that we have received are very relevant and the content is aligned to the interest of the students. This non profit organisation has brought smiles to the faces of the students of this institution. There are many students who have a passion for reading however due to financial constraints their family members may not be able to purchase additional reading materials for them.
This non profit organisation is outstanding in the service it provides as it relates to the sourcing and delivery of books in very good condition. Additionally Thom and Harriet Limsky have demonstrated great love for the students. The organisation has granted our students the opportunity to dream and strive for future success.
Our prayer as a learning institution is that this organisation will continue to receive support so that they will be able to touch many more your lives.

The Principal, staff and students of the Clare Hall Secondary School are extremely grateful for the generosity of the team at Hands Across the Sea. Your contribution of books has served to reignite a passion for reading among our very diverse student population, and has also made our after school "book club" a major hit.

It is also important to point out that in addition to the age appropriate titles, we have also been the beneficiary of additional resources which have significantly aided in literacy development among our struggling students.

We look forward to continued good relations with Hands Across the Sea, and wish you every success in your future ventures.

Ashworth Azille
Principal

The Questelles Government School is extremely grateful for the donation of literacy resources from Hands Across the Sea. This timely intervention has resulted in renewed interest in reading among our student population, and teachers have been offered additional options for literacy instruction. I must point out that all of the resources are brand new, and not only are the titles exciting, but they cater for students' diverse needs and interests. The additional technical support that we have received cements the fact that the organization is committed to its mission. Thank you, Hands Across the Sea! We look forward to your continued support.

The Principal, Staff and Students of the Cedar Grove Primary School in Antigua convey profound gratitude and appreciation, to the Hands Across the Sea Organization, and representative, Mrs. Lisa Tomlinson, for the generous contribution of books to the school over the years. We can assure you that your timely donation has serve to enhance our Literacy Programme whereby a large range of books are made available to students from Kindergarten through Grade 6. Not only the quantity but the quality of books is quite impressive. The Library is now a place frequented by students throughout the day. This renewed interest in the Library is largely due to the many action-packed books which you provided that the children find enthralling. We are also able to complement this fun reading with a scheduled Library Period for each class. We are now seeing a definite improvement in the reading of our students and must again say ‘Thanks a Million’ to Hands Across the Sea and Partners for this priceless gesture. We look forward to your continued support as we endeavour to enhance the literacy environment for our students even further.

The Staff and students of the George Stephens Senior Secondary School joined hands with Hands Across the years many years ago and the support we have received from this non-profit organisation far exceeded our expectations.This year alone we received phonic packets, differentiated word sorts word and sentence building charts, high interest low level (hi-low) reading books among other things. It is for this reason that we express our sincerest gratitude.

These donations go a along way to augment our existing reading remediation programme and our school library. The books and other materials generate and sustain interest in reading in the most critical students in reading.

We do anticipate a continued relationship with Hands Across the Seas now and in the future.

The Millet Primary School's library is presently the most appealing room on the school's compound. Thanks to the generous contribution of Hands Across The Sea who have donated interesting, colorful and exciting literature for students' use. Students are now highly motivated to read and no prompting is required from teachers to get students to visit the library. Such intensive motivation has led to an improvement in the performance of Language Arts at the school. The student librarians were comprehensively trained by Mrs. Clara Paul , local representative of Hands Across The Sea , and they are now able to play an active role in the library's operation on a daily basis. Millet Primary School is grateful for the assistance given to us by Harriet and Tom , and hope that they are in return given support to continue to reach out to schools. We thank you "Hands Across The Sea."

On behalf of the students and teachers of the Richland Park Government School, I must express my sincere gratitude for the assisting us in having our library fully established and operational.
Our students are now making scheduled visits to the library and making good use of the resources that you have made available to them. Many of the students are exhibiting keener interest in reading and I am quite sure that their literacy levels will be increased as time passes.

Teaching and learning activities have been improved since there are much more resources available to aid lesson delivery. Thank you once again for coming to our aid and we do anticipate your assistance in the future.

Yours in the interest of education,

Ms. Carol Miller
Headteacher

The principal, staff, students and parents of the Kingstown Preparatory School of St. Vincent and the Grenadines wish to thank Hands Across the seas for its generous donation of books. We have since then set up a library which students and teachers have found to be very beneficial. As a result of your contribution, our students' reading levels from Kindergarten to Grade 3 are improving; hence, our stake holders are excited about the books and other resources. These books will serve to help our student to develop and to gain mastery in their reading skills.

Mr. & Mrs. Tom and Harriet Linskey visited the library and they were quite satisfied with what they saw. we thank them for their encouragement and support.
Again thank you for you generous contribution we look forward to your continuous support.

The T. N. Kirnon Primary School in Antigua has been blessed tremendously through our association with Hands Across the Sea, Inc. Because of their generous donation of books to our school, our students eagerly visit the library every day to read a wide variety of books. For many of the students, this may be their only opportunity to access and enjoy quality literature of their own choice. Additionally, the enthusiastic student librarians who oversee the use of the books get excellent leadership training - a great idea from Hands Across the Sea. The Reading Room/Library staff look forward to visits from Lisa Tomlinson, the local representative, who offers support and encouragement. Thanks to Tom and Harriet Linskey, Lisa and Hands Across the Sea for their generosity!

The Nelvie N Gore Primary School, formerly the Willikies Primary School is ever grateful to Mrs Tomlinson and Hands Across the Sea for their commitment and dedication to reading at the school and by extension the entire community.

The donation of books and other reading materials as well as timely visits to the school has proven to be of great benefit to our students. Children are showing more interest in reading and a love of books as a result of the efforts of the Hands Across the Sea.

The excitement of the children on scheduled visits to the library as well as their voluntary visits is evident of the benefits of Hands Across the Sea, and a giant step to improving literacy at the school and in the community.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea! :)

Hands Across the Sea has been influential in developing the library of the Calliaqua Anglican School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This non-profit organization has equipped the school's library through the donation of books and support for teachers and librarian. The school has benefited as a result of the contributions made. Students have more access to several leveled readers. Teachers are better able to facilitate students when providing differentiated reading instructions. There is renewed interest in reading at the school. Students are eager to borrow books and teachers are using a variety of texts in their instructions. The books received are relevant to the teaching learning at the school. In addition, the support provided in library services from Hands Across the Sea has improved the efficiency of staff and library and is benefiting the literacy development of students..

The Principal, Staff and students of the Bendals Primary School are very grateful to Hands Across the Sea for the contribution of books to our library.The books catered to the different
interest of the students and were suited to the many reading levels.They could also be used as resource materials for teachers in various subject areas.
We look forward to the continued support from Hands Across the Sea and its donors as we labour in the fight against illiteracy among the students of Antigua and Barbuda.

Bendals Primary School salutes Tom and Harriet Linskey of Hands Across The Sea for their donation of books and more to our school's Library. Our students can borrow books and be transported all over the world through your generous donation. Thank you for giving to the Lord .

The Rose Hall Government School is a rural primary school located in the farming village of Rose Hall. We are one of the recipients of your generous donation of books. The books that we received from you are placed in our library to improve our collection of books. Not only are these books useful to enhance literacy in our school, but they have been very useful to our students in the preparation of their book report as well as for the purpose of research and general reading practice. Our students are in a better position to read widely. As a result, our students are very excited with the wide selection of books to choose from. We have seen an improvement in the reading ability of our students. Therefore, on the behalf of our Literacy Coordinator, Mr. Noland Allen, the rest of the staff and students of the Rose Hall Government School, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for this donation of books from your organization and to reassure you that all books are put to good use.

Jennis Cyrus-Lewis (Mrs.)
Principal

I'd heard about Hands Across the Sea before but I didn't interact with them until earlier this school year. Well, my personal encounter with them was simply wonderful and beneficial.
Working with struggling readers is always challenging. Also, it is often difficult to find interesting material for them to read as well as teaching/learning resources to enhance the learning process. The challenge of finding age appropriate material increases when the struggling reader is in the secondary school.
Thanks to Hands Across the Sea and its generous gift of reading material and teaching/learning games and activities, the students in the Learning Support Department at CEMSS were better able to understand the various Reading skills they were exposed to.
We look forward to an even closer working relationship in the upcoming school year and beyond as we work diligently to improve literacy and the love of reading in our students.

As a recipient, the Barrouallie Government School is grateful for the donation of books received. The donation received was quite timely and the books are suited for the cognitive levels of the students. The sizes of the books are ideal and certainly there are books to meet the needs of our boys; books that appeal to their interest. These books have certainly enhanced our literacy/library resources and we are grateful since its a means of improving the academic performance of our students. Thanks to Hands Across the Sea and we look forward for continued support.

The students at the Clare Hall Secondary School Special Needs Department in Antigua and Barbuda benifitted from the generous donation of materials that supported their literacy development. One of the challenges was the lack of appropriate materials to adequately support the students' learning needs. The materials donated were timely, appropriate and meaningful since the students were able to read and manipulate the materials provided. The school is very grateful, and look forward to continued support from Hands Across the Sea and its donors to assist the students in Antigua and Barbuda.

Thank You!

Hands Across the Sea has been a blessing to the staff and students of S.R.Olivia David Primary School in Bolans Village Antigua.
After meeting with Lisa initially, then Tom and Hariet we were able to discuss ways of improving the aesthetics of the library as well as the quality of the materials that we had so that the library could be more attractive and inviting to students and reading abilities of students would improve.
We can truly say that our library is now more user friendly and students look forward to going on the new mats, reading and borrowing the new books that were provided by Hands Across the Sea, this great institution.
As the Principal of this school, I would like to encourage all business entities to continue to provide funding to this generous organisation so that it can continue the wonderful and worthwhile projects in the various schools throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
We look forward to a continued and lasting relationship with Hands Across the Sea.

The children of Liberta Primary are extremely fortunate to have a comfortable space to read and learn daily, due to the generous contribution of Tom, Lisa Tomlinson and all the folks at Hands across the Sea. We remain eternally grateful for the assistance they continue to provide to us and our children.

The Cane End Gov't School on the beautiful island of St.Vincent and the Grenadines has benefited immensely from the partnership with Hands Across the Sea. This organisation is the first ever overseas donor that I can recall, to contribute brand new books to our school.The books and other related materials have really helped to boost our literacy drive. We are especially elated about the leveled readers .The challenged readers have now joined their independent peers in seeking out the new adventures that can be found in our school library, as there is a book to match each reader's interest and level. Kudos to Hands Across the Sea.You have turned our nightmare into a DREAM come true.

The Saltibus Combined School is grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their generous donation of an assortment of books. This has catalyzed the development of a more positive attitude towards reading in students. Pupils are always excited to engage in
both efferent and aesthetic reading. The books are captivating and culturally relevant and students are always eager to dive into them. We look forward to receiving more books to enrich our school's library. A hearty thanks to you Hands Across the Sea.

The Irene B. Williams Secondary School is indeed grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their invaluable support to our Library. Your donations and support especially through your frequent visits by your representative is greatly appreciated. Thank you Hands Across the Sea. We look forward to your continued support.

C. Weaver - Teacher Librarian
.

Hands Across the Sea,Inc and its staff are perfect examples of angels in disguise. I came in contact with this organization at my former secondary school (Isaiah Thomas Secondary School) to which they donated new books, library and teaching materials, a literacy room and a renovated library. But this was not the end of their generosity.

I also came in contact with and was impacted by Hands Across the Sea in my community and in my personal life. They reached out to a newly developed library in my community (Mahaut) to which they donated new books that I use to host an after-school homework and tutoring program. While, this organization has help me personally by providing the mentorship, guidance and support that I needed in preparation for higher level education.Because of this and many more, I am deeply grateful to Hands Across the sea and its staff.

A few qualities that make this organization and its staff outstanding are compassion and passion mingled with kindness and love.They are heroes I celebrate from my heart who deserve a global applause.

Thank you so much Hands Across the Sea, Inc and staff. You are one-in-a-million.

Hands across the Sea has impacted my former school (Isaiah Thomas Secondary School) tremendously. This organization have donated a grand supply of books to our school library and as a result of their hard work, love and dedication we have a great school literacy room. Students are now able to access all sorts of books from the center. Thank you very much for such an opportunity, for such a joy and privilege to read books we have never seen before. Keep on your good work!

Hands across the sea is a very good organisation . It is very exciting to see happy faces of students , exchanging books and helping each other. Many schools has benefited from this organisation and we are very thankful. Countinue doing the good work that you all do and god bless you all.

Hello everyone,
We at the Atkinson Primary School have been benefiting immensely over the past years from Hands Across The sea. They make large donations of books and library supplies to improve child literacy at our school.
The students always look forward to their visit to the library to do research and to read for fun. Most of the Science books that were sent assist the students to complete research and projects on topics such as the digestive system, magnetism, heat, light etc. Students are more enthusiastic about reading and the importance of books to their education.
Some of the books received in November of 2015 include; Its Alive (10), Myths and Legends (6), Dinosaurs (2), Games,Sports and Festivals(2), The Respiratory System ( 2), Books on Bullying, Earth, Technology, Light, Force and Motion, Heat, Sound, Magnetism, Cells and Organ Systems, Inventions, Stronger Faster Better (4).
I would to say thank you on behalf of the staff and students of my school for the donations of books and other supplies which you continue to make. Thank you for the support and we look forward to a continued collaboration in our efforts to raise child literacy levels at our school.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer serving on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hands Across the Sea has been an integral resource and support for my service. Without their immense donation of literacy supplies, books, materials, and informational resources my school would not have a functional library or remedial resources for struggling resources. Having leveled, Caribbean specific, and brand new books, games, lesson materials, and support has helped increase the literacy rates and print awareness within the school community. We look forward to working with them in the future, and their continued work in highlighting the needs of struggling Caribbean students, and providing excellent support.

Dear friends,
I am Aurelia Benjamin, principal of the Coulibistrie Primary School in Dominica. I have been working with Celia Sorhaindo, a member of Hands Across the Sea.She has been very helpful in supplying books to our school. When we suffered severe damage to our school resources due to Tropical Storm Erica she and her friends came across to help us clean up.When every where was cleaned, Celia brought boxes of books to our school. Our children are enjoying reading those books and are comforted by this act of concern and kindness. This is all because of Hands Across the Sea.We are so very grateful for this.We look forward to your continued support and assistance.

Hands Across the Sea donated over 600 books to the primary school I work at. These new materials allowed the school to open a library and let students check out books. The students are excited to come to the library and pick out books. Many students have never had books of their own, so Hands has let them explore their love of reading and succeed in school.

The tremendous work being done by this organisation has a positive impact on the staff and students of the school. The donation of updated books created an atmosphere where students engage daily basis with books. This is quite a change! The library was once a closed up room with obsolete materials, not frequently visited by staff and students. Today, students borrow books and spend time reading current/relevant material in and out of the library. Great Job!

The entire Cayon Primary School body expresses heart-felt thanks and appreciation to Hands Across the Sea for its donation of books. Through its effort we were also able to repaint the drawings on the walls of the library.

The students enjoy going to the library to borrow the books especially at the Grades Four and Five level since there was a shortage of books before. Thanks Hands Across the Sea for your timely donation.

Jennings Primary School

Thank you Hands Across the Sea for helping us to bring the love of reading in focus for our students.

We would like to thank everyone involved with Hands Across the Seas charity. We are a small primary school on a small island in the Caribbean and access and availability to books is hard.. Hands Across the Seas asked what our needs were and they were fulfilled. Today our children are enjoying these beautiful books. Without this charity many children would be without this essential need. Thank you Hands Across the Seas!

Nothing but praise for Hands Across the Sea!--With the books and library materials donated by Hands Across the Sea here in Grenada, my primary school was able to set up it's first school library. The impact of finally having a space where students can read and explore the world of literacy at their own pace cannot be overemphasized. The Hands' Library Manual was incredibly useful in getting the library up and running, and the books donated by Hands were both relevant and interesting for my students. It's been a pleasure partnering with Hands Across the Sea, thank you!

Des Barras Combined School

We are a small rural school. The library was filled with books from the 70s to 90's. Student interest in reading was low and the library was a place of stored books.

Since the injection of brand new books from hands across the sea, the library has new life breathed into it. The students read more often, borrow more frequently and visit the library during their free time.

Students who would not normally take books have developed reading habits. Thanks Hands Across the Sea. You have changed the lives of our kids.

I write on behalf of the Ave Maria Girls' Primary School to say that after receiving books for our library our girls always look forward eagerly to visit the school library to read all the exciting books in the library. The library was transformed into a learning experience for our girls and teachers. We do thank Hands across the Sea for their generosity and we look forward into receiving more books for our library.

Hands Across The Sea have helped us at the George Charles Secondary School, St. Lucia to revitalize our crusty old library, previously filled with dusty second-hand tomes - thanks to their generosity and the enthusiastic assistance offered by their local representative, we now have fresh, bright, attractive and inspiring new titles.

Children come to our school, for the most part, with significant literacy challenges - books and reading are not their friends - the new library is helping to change these attitudes and will be an invaluable resource in the efforts we make to improve the prospects of the students in our care.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea!

I am writing on behalf of the Pares Secondary School in Antigua. Hands Across the Seas have given two donations to our school and we are very grateful to the Linkseys for choosing us. The books include a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, catering for both students and teachers. Included also, were specially selected books for younger readers and those with special reading needs.
As the resident Teacher/Librarian at the school; I have observed that the School's reading population have increased greatly, as students enjoy coming to browse or borrow books which hold their varied interests. I admire the passion and commitment from the Linkseys and wish them continued success as they endeavor to increase literacy in schools which make up the Caribbean.

Stephanie D. Caesar-Maxime

The Soufriere Primary School found on the south-western coast of Saint Lucia in the West Indies is eternally grateful to Hands Across The Sea who has been one of our school’s greatest supporters of books and literacy. They have helped us tremendously with the quantity and quality of books in our library. Blessedly; their advice is not just limited to books but they have shared with us various ways in which we could make our library more fun and interesting for our students. They have continuously provided us with supplementary texts and activity books which have been widely used in our delivery of instruction. We are very appreciative of their assistance and thank them immensely for always considering our school and students. Thanks a million! Continue the good deeds Hands Across The Sea!

Hands Across the Sea has made it possible for a small rural primary school in the Eastern Caribbean with no space for a large school library to start individual class libraries. The books are student friendly, informative and serve as a means of opening the minds of students to a world that they would not otherwise see. Thank you Hands Across the Sea for giving us the opportunity to partner with you!

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Eastern Caribbean from 2013 to 2015, I partnered closely with Hands Across the Sea throughout my service. They are a fantastic organization. My Peace Corps assignment was as a literacy teacher and library developer at my village's primary school on the island of Dominica. Hands sent my school two wonderful donations of brand-new books and library materials, which transformed the literacy environment in my community. What sets Hands apart from other organizations is their commitment to local ownership. In-country staff provide a vital link between the community educators at the local level and Hands admin. Celia, the Hands Dominica Coordinator, continually communicates with the school principals on the island and makes routine visits to each library that Hands supports. Hands' approach ensures that community members are involved and empowered with tools and resources to keep each library sustainable and relevant in the community that it serves. An all-around outstanding organization!

Hands Across the Sea is an amazing organization!!! It links students and teachers in the Caribbean with relevant resources and books, many written by local Caribbean Authors. I am a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and partnered with Hands Across the Sea for about three years. The organization assists with organizing fundraising, communicates with in country staff, ensures to meet needs of individual schools, and follows through with setting up of libraries once books have arrived.
Because of the partnership with Hands Across the Sea- the L'Esterre Rosary School in Carriacou, Grenada now has a functioning library with circulating books and learning materials.

The work done by Hands Across The Sea, Inc far outweighs expectations. My school has been served for the past four years and i am impressed with the level of accountability maintained. The books provided have greatly enhanced the literacy program at the Tete Morne Primary School. The students are excited to check books out and the love for reading has grown. The school's goal is to have every child who is not otherwise hampered reading at grade level within the next three years.

I love the operations of the organization, the way in which the school needs are checked, books provided in a timely manner, visits from personnel of Hands Across Seas and the eagerness shown by the workers to help. God bless you and may he multiply your giving back to you a hundred fold

We at Westerhall Secondary School are very grateful to Hands Across the Sea for their assistance in re-establishing our school's library. Their contribution of books has made a great difference to our student population as well as our teachers. We have seen an increase in the number of students making use of the library. Hats off to Hands Across the School!!! Hip, hip hooray!!! We look forward to a continued relationship as we strive to improve the literacy level of our students.

Hands Across the Sea continues to deliver awesome service and the highest quality product. Speaking on behalf of a learning institution which has been fortunate enough to benefit first hand from their generous contributions, I can honestly state that the organisation has made a profound impact in literacy at the schools in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Hands has succeeded in creating a heightened state of awareness re, the importance of reading as part of the holistic development of the individual.

Hands Across The Sea has a great passion for literacy. I love their enthusiasm, their dedication and their willingness to assist schools with their library programmes. As a non-profit organization you are doing an excellent job in partnering with schools to raise the literacy levels of students across the Caribbean.

We, the principal, staff and students of the C. W. Prescod Primary School are grateful for your contribution and look forward to your assistance in enhancing our library programme.

Thank you! Thank You!

The programme for Adolescent Mothers in Grenada extend their greatest thanks to Hands Across the Sea for their wonderful support and kind donation of books, stationery and toys to the young mothers. these gifts were greatly appreciated by the students and staff of the programme.

Once again much thanks to Hands Across the Sea!

Thank you Hands Across The Sea. Thank you so very much for the passion and devotion you have shown to the staff and students of the Piaye Combined School and St,Lucia at large. Piaye Combined will remain forever grateful to this amazing organization. You have not only donated books and school supplies but you have certainly changed the educational landscape of my students and provided them with richer and deeper learning experiences. Thank you so much for giving of yourselves.

Greetings from Stephanie Browne Primary |School ,Clifton, Union Island, a little Island in the Grenadines.
Since Hands visited us about five years ago our school has seen a great improvement in our Library resource and thus a significant improvement in students reading levels. The interest showed by Hands Across the Seas in our children's development is greatly appreciated by our parents, staff and students.
Hands has has shown what it really means to make an impact to humanity.

Hands Across the Sea has identified with Jungle Bay Resort and Spa's Open Book Open Mind Program to enhance the Literacy Program at the Petite Savanne Primary School here in Dominica. Hands has cotinued to supply the type of pupil friendly books that has kept our pupils reading. THANK YOU HANDS and all involed in this wonderful venture,we are seeing the impact.

Oliver Samuel
Principal

Hello, we are the Staff and Students of the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School located in Dominica. We were one of the first Secondary Schools which was adopted and loved by this wonderful and dedicated organisation.

Prior to Hands' generous and overwhelming contributions, our school's library contained only out-dated books and very few resources. Additionally, the room required a complete make-over. We saw no light at the end of the tunnel.

Thankfully however, through Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Bardouille we were introduced to the "Hands Family." From that day forward, our partnership has continued to blossom.

We came from literally nothing to a completely new Literacy Centre and a refurbished Library with attractive, exciting, updated and meaningful fiction and non-fiction books. We worked tirelessly through summers and other holidays with Harriet and Tom as our ever- guiding earthly angels.

Our school will never forget your generosity, patience, kindness, sponsorship and hard work.

Presently, our reading population has improved significantly and our students simply love to visit both the library and literacy centre.

We can never say thank you enough to the Board of directors, volunteers and Tom and Harriet. Know that we will be eternally grateful.

And any school or institution who partners with "Hands Across the Sea" indeed, they are in great hands.

Sandra Roberts on behalf of the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School.

I am the principal of the Castle Bruce Secondary School in Dominica. Our students had the desire to read but the books in our library were outdated and not student friendly. Some of these books were not even at our students level or within their experiential background- just irrelevant. In addition the room in which we kept the books was a wooden house which was slowly deteriorating. I used to hold my head and wonder what to do. There was a hole in the floor. Students still came to check for books in spite of the limitations.Then the Lord sent the Hands Across the sea to my rescue.
We got beautiful, new, colorful, relevant, age-level friendly books for our library. Not only did we get books but our library was also repaired and painted and Hands Across the sea gave us an air condition unit. My goodness, this is by far the best thing that has happened at our school in the last five years. There are no words to describe what the work and donations of books by Hands Across the sea mean to us. It is just too good to be true. Thank you Hands across the Sea and we look forward to your continued support.

Altruistic, munificent, and benevolent are three of the words that the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School - Campus A family find fitting to describe the magnificent work of Hands Across the Sea, Inc.

The donation of over three hundred books that we received from the organisation in 2012 (through the efforts of peace corps volunteer, Adam Wohlman) has enhanced the literacy programme at our school; the students absolutely love the latest additions of fiction and non fiction books.

We are also elated to have won the Hands Across the Sea Literacy Award in March of this year (2014). This award is accompanied by US$1000 worth of new and exciting books which the students eagerly await.

We commend Hands Across the Sea Inc and wish to make special mention of Harriet, Tom and Colin. We are extremely grateful for their interest and commitment in developing the literacy skills of the Caribbean's children.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea from Dr. Cadelia Ambrose (Principal), the staff and students of Vieux Fort Comprehensive - Campus A.


Jeanne Lawrence
Learning Resource Center Manager
Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School
Campus A
Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia.

The Principal, Staff and students of the Beach Allen Primary School in St. Kitts-Nevis, have welcomed the intervention of Hands Across the Sea in the restructuring of our school's library. Our school had just refurbished the library and had received books from another donor when Hands Across the Sea came and shared great ideas on structuring.

They did not just share but also provided some materials for cataloging our books and making it more simplified for the Librarian and students. They also gave us some of the Hardy Boys and Enid Blyton Series to add to our collection.

We are indeed grateful for their timely intervention and contribution. We pray God's blessings on all the volunteers and partners as they seek to educate our world's children; as only through literacy we can become reasonable citizens and make them better people.

Kudos to the organizers continue your good work. Keep the faith; because faith without good work is dead and good work without faith is just O because God is not in it.

Be blessed!

The Principal, Staff and students of the Fancy Government School, St. Vincent and the Grenadines would like to say a hearty thank you to Hands across the sea for the donations they have made to us.
They have donated a wide range of reading material that caters to the needs of all the pupils from the slow readers to the independent readers. They have also given us some information on how to set up a school library and promised to donate more books in the future.
What they are doing is a very worthwhile venture as reading is an integral part of the school. If children cannot read then they cannot do the other subject area properly.
we are therefore thankful for the worthy venture.

Hands Across the Sea is an amazing group who have done wonderful thing for school libraries on my Island, Nevis. They listen and try as much as possible to get books that meet the students needs and the librarians requests. They always give books in excellent condition with relevant content. We on Nevis are truly grateful to Hands Across the Sea for the generous donations to school libraries over the year.........We pray Gods Guidance on them as the continue to do their best to improve literacy in the region.

Thanks
Londa Brown
Librarian

It is with grateful hearts we at Victoria School for Special Education say thank you to Hands Across the Sea for an invaluable supply of books contributed to our school. Our students are still enthusiastic and cannot wait for their scheduled reading period to delve into those exciting stories with their teachers and peers.

We were able to start our school library with the supply of books. Through the efforts of Hands Across the Sea, Literacy has improved at our institution.

THANK YOU HANDS ACROSS THE SEA!

We are immensely and eternally thankful for the assistance of books for the commencement of our reading project at Babonneau Secondary School. Hands Across the Sea also made it possible for us to obtain classroom cupboards for our classroom libraries.

I am extremely impressed with the alacrity with which our request was met. Moreover, we are certain that Hands Across the Sea has changed the literacy awareness at our school and also students' interests in books. Our students are very enthused about the classroom libraries and they are asking for MORE BOOKS. This is truly remarkable and an immeasurable progress towards making our students and country more literate.

We thank the wonderful team at Hands Across the Sea for changing our lives and we look for further assistance to complete our classroom library reading project.

Our gratitude is BOUNDLESS! THANK YOU.

Mrs. Rosemond-Alphonse
Teacher
Babonneau Secondary School
St. Lucia

Hands across the sea has literally throw us here at the Charles E.Mills Secondary School a life line, just in the nick of time. A time where our library was on the brink of going dormant.This library saver approached us and has revamped our school's library by generously donating books that the students and staff can't seem to get enough of.Our library membership has grown tremendously since we received the shipment of books from this nonprofit organization.Today we can proudly boast that we now have a functioning library that serves students of all academic abilities and teachers.Some students have even asked about getting more books as they have read majority of the supply that was sent to us,and for us here at the Charles E.Mills Secondary School is a big plus .It simply means that our students are reading and enjoying it.
Once again we are so thankful for the immeasurable donation

Hands Across the Sea has played a major role in the reopening of The Anglican High School Library (Grenada).When we approached as possible recipients of a shipment of books, the space available to house the library was used as a store room for the materials from the science labs that were destroyed by hurricane Ivan in 2004. Luckily for us though, new labs were recently constructed and were being stocked with materials stored in the library space. We were required to do one thing; transform the space with shelves. This we did in anticipation of receiving the donation of books. We immediately went to work. The space was transformed and we were ready to accept the promised gift of books.
The books finally arrived and today our library is fully functional. We have seen a renewed interest in reading. On a daily basis students are filled with excitement borrowing and reading books.
On behalf of the Principal, Staff, and Students of The Anglican High School, our profound gratitude is extended to Hands Across the Sea and other donors. Your gift is contributing to enhancing reading and literacy in general among our students.
Kim P

Hands Across the sea has been a blessing to the St.Joseph's Convent, Grenville. The immeasurable donationof books has helped the students greatly in improving their reading potential and their literacy skills.Our library was recently constructed and was in a high demand for books and thanks to your organization , wecan now boast of a resource center that can cater to the needs of our children.Thanks Hands Across the sea.

The impact of Hands Across theSea cannot be underestimated. At the CrochuR C School we have been struggling to find appropriate reading material for students to read leisurely for quite some time. Hands Across the Sea came to our rescue not only by donating books but also organised a competent team of volunteers who assisted in the re organisation of our library. Today we are proud to say we have a functioning library that serves our students and even some of our parents. Hats of to Hands Across the Sea.

Hands Across The Sea has been a life saver as it relates to its donation of books to the Buccament Bay Secondary. They assisted us when we were a mere two boxes of books and a room and have basically become our major contributors of reading material. Hands Across the Sea has provided the opportunity for our students to interface with additional reading materials that they would not normally have been able to do. The books provided are of various genres and the boys are enjoying a number of them. A number of the titles are on 'The WANTED' list as the students clamor for them. Thanks 'Hands Across the Sea' as you have impacted and touched many lives by providing additional experiences through books.

Hands Across the Seas has been a blessing to the Woodfordhill Primary School. The immeasurable impact their donations have had on our school and our students is indeed mentionable and commendable. The benefits of these art and reading materials are far reaching as it will be recognized in the achievements of our present and future students.
The mere word thank you will not be able to properly express our heartfelt gratitude to Tim, Harriet and all others involved in the operations of this great enterprise. However, since this is the only available medium we at the Woodfordhill Primary hopes it suffice, Thank you and may blessings continue to flow your way.

Hands Across the Seas is a gift to Pioneer Prep. We are grateful for the fine quality of books and other teaching/learning materials received. These have enhanced our lessons and delighted our students! The D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) period certainly has become more interesting. A million thanks to Tim, Harriette, Hands Across the Seas and all its benefactors. Pioneer Prep has started a new friendship that is close to our hearts. The best is wished for you!

The Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School records its deep appreciation to Hands Across the Sea for the countless donations of books and other supplies for the school library. Our children continue to benefit from these donations.

Congratulations to Hands Across the Sea for the marvellous work being done to enhance reading and improve literacy in our school.
MLescott ( Principal, EPPS)

Hats off to Hands Across the Sea !! The work that this organization does is incredibly beneficial to thousands of children in our region, the Caribbean. The books received by Kids Unlimited School are of such a high quality and range of interest that our students look forward to the shipment arriving. They enjoy watching as the boxes are unpacked and eagerly await the books being placed in the library and available to them each Friday. Library day is always fraught with excitement so that new worlds can be explored through the books! Reading is an important part of our work here at Kids Unlimited School, and the wider the scope of material presented the better for our students.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea for a job well done,

Warm Regards,






Amaryllis Weeks



KIDS UNLIMITED SCHOOL
P.O.Box W 92
Scotts Hill
St. John’s
Antigua
Tel: 268 734-1834
Fax: 268 461-0414
Cel: 268 723-1556

Creative Learning in a Loving Environment
(Click Here )
http://www.kidsunlimitedschool-anu.com

The contribution of books that Hands Across the Sea has made to the All Saints secondary School Library is most invaluable. It has help to transform our school library by providing modern and relevant books that will better assist our students with their reading and research. Thank you Hands Across the Sea for your contribution.

With little finance available, many schools in Grenada find it difficult to equip themselves with the adequate reading material for students. Four years ago,to our rescue, Hands Across The Sea came. We have received to date lots of books in this wonderful name.
The students of the St. Dominic’s R.C. School have at their disposal a wide variety of books. Thanks to Hands Across The Sea who has granted to us resources of tremendous value. What used to be a store room, you can now find a library. On a daily basis scores of students can be seen visiting and leaving with books in their hands and smiles on their faces.
Last year, our appeal to Hands Across The Sea for books for our boys have been answered. The arrival of three boxes of books, have sparked our boys’ interest. It is our hope that all our students reading level will continue to improve.
May God grant great blessings to Tom and Harriett and all donors to Hands Across The Sea for the great deeds they have done.

Cephas Ettienne

Hands Across the Sea has been an invaluable resource to the Charles E. Mills Secondary School, St. Kitts. It has facilitated the revamping of our school library so that it is now age appropriate and culturally relevant. We are better poised to meet our reading and research needs. Our academic capabilities have been greatly enhanced thanks to the generous donations of time and resources by the hard working staff of the Hands Across the Sea organization. Thanks Hands Across the Sea! Your contribution is much appreciated.

When Hands Across the Sea donated the first boxes of books, the whole school was excited at the gifts. The children who helped the Peace Corps volunteer enjoyed unpacking, carrying, stamping, coding and labelling the books. They could not get enough of the smell, look, feel and content of these gems. They could often be found lost in a book while stacking them onto the shelves. The library was uplifted and became an interesting place for the children and parents. Hands Across the Sea sent another set of books and even art supplies which both the staff and children enjoyed using to make cards, masks, collages, posters and charts across the curriculum. With these new additions, our school library keeps being an exciting place for visitors to the school. All the donations were timely and extremely useful.

I am the literacy coordinator at the St.Joseph's Convent Grenville in the parish of St. Andrew. We are an all girls secondary school. I was extremely happy when Hands Across the Sea donated a few boxes of books to our school. The students were very happy to have been afforded the opportunity and exposure to these books. The library really needed books of that type which were the choice of the students. This has aroused their interest and motivation to read. We were also grateful for the presence of representatives from Hands Across the Sea who visited our school's library and gave us valuable suggestions as to the way we present and shelve the books in the library.
Thank you Hands Across the Sea for helping to motivate our girls and to raise the literacy level at our school.

Hands Across the Sea is the reason why the students at the Bonne Terre Preparatory School in St. Lucia are becoming excited and hopefully life long readers. Their donation of several boxes of books over the past 3 years has supplied the school library with quality, appropriate and very appealing books to all age levels and both genders. It is a joy for me, as the librarian, to see these students' eyes light up when the new books arrive. The level of reading competency has increased tremendously simply because the students are being exposed to great books. We are very, very grateful to TL and Harriet and the rest of the great gang at Hands Across the Sea for their passion and determination to raise literacy levels in the Caribbean. I am so privileged to be watching this be accomplished first hand.

Hands Across the Seas has been a life saver for our school's library. My name is E Jonah Greene. I am the Principal of the Clare Hall Secondary School on the beautiful island of Antigua and Barbuda. Clare Hall is a co-ed high school with an enrollment of 829 students. Our library was inactive for many years. However, as an educator, I am of the firm belief that no institution of learning should be without a school library - a place where students could read and explore new adventures. Despite the advancements in technology, I still believe that one of the most beautiful image an educator could envision is a child wrapped up inside a book. Hands across the seas helped us to get back on track as far as reading is concerned. I fully endorse this charity as I have seen the benefits of their hard work first hand.

Thank you Hands Across the Sea!!!

E Jonah Greene
Principal

Hands Across the Ses has made a tremendous difference in the quality of our school library at Willikies Primary School in Antigua, and I through their donation of books have greatly improve our ability to endeavor to get all our students up to an acceptable standard of literary. Thank you, continue to make a difference in the lives of students all over the world.

Denmore Roberts
principal

Hands Across the Sea was very instrumental in the re-introduction of the school library at the Villa Primary School. This project was started under the leadership of a former principal Mrs. Angella James and a former Peace Corp volunteer Miss Ina Howe. When appointed as the new principal of the school, the project was near completion, the library was officially opened and with our student librarian programme we were the first primary school on island to have a 'lending' library. This initiative helped the school to win a further $1000,00 prize from this non-profit organisation.
Although I am now retired, and no longer at the school, I can truly say that with the help of this wonderful organisation the Villa School library is thriving and is of an invaluable benefit to the students and faculty there.
Former Principal
Mrs. B. Jarvis

Hands across the Sea is a God sent!! We received a donation of books from this wonderful organization at the St. John's Catholic Primary School in Antigua and were therefore able to official start a school library!!

This donation has proven beneficial to the teachers and most importantly the students. The work done by Hands Across the Sea has proven very meaningful. We are truly grateful and hope to continue working with Hands in the future!!

Great work Harriette & John. Thank you :)

My school, The Stephanie Browne Primary, has been visited by Hariette and John Linsky of hands Across the Seas in Union Island , St.Vincent and The Grenadines since 2005. Since then we have received donations of books and school supplies from hands.

It is great to have donations of supplies and heartwarming when those who donate visit us. Great job Harriette and John.

As the Teacher Librarian at the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School, Nevis West Indies words cannot express my thanks to Hands Across the Sea (New Bedford, MA) for their help in assisting our school achieve its goal of having a State of the Art Library on the island. There contribution of books, cds and posters over the past five (5) years has greatly benifited our school, students are elatated to visit the library and read the books we have received. This year we were presented with the, "Hands Across the Sea Literacy Award 2013," this far exceeded our expectation. The pricipal,teachers,students and myself will continue to pray for the members and supporters of Hands Across the Sea that God will continue to bless them, as they assist not only our school but extent their love to others in the caribbean and the island of Nevis.

Hands Across The Sea has helped us at the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School on Nevis West Indies for the past five and a half (5 1/2) years in a very positive way. Not only for the students but also for the teachers as well. We appreciate all that you have done and we do hope to continue partnering with you in the future. Thank you very much. You are doing an excellent job. Continue helping and shaping the minds of our youth.

Hands Across the Sea has been helping our Dominican schools for the past several years by providing books, shelves and refurbishing.
I met Harriet and Tom when they first came to Dominica and was impressed with their philosophy and care for the youth.
When a child learns to read their whole world opens to knowledge. Knowledge is the key to success.
New books and brightly painted furnishings, walls and floors make a library come alive and inviting to children whose culture is illiterate.
Harriet and Tom are easy to contact and listen to all requests. They have done a fantastic job building and restoring libraries for nearly the whole island.
We are truly appreciative for all their efforts.

School libraries in St. Kitts-Nevis have been at the implementation stage for more than five years. Undoubtedly, one of the challenges faced by these schools, including Saddlers Secondary School, is that of lack of funding which is needed for the acquisition of information resources. Saddlers Secondary School was officially opened in May of this year with a collection of less than 800 to serve approximately 205 students. Shortly after, I learnt of Hands Across the Sea when the school was invited by the organization to apply for the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Grant (which was secured in the form of over 400 books). Since then, through the Hands Across the Sea Website, I have familiarized myself with the goals of and the invaluable work done by this organization. Indeed, I am impressed! Accordingly, I am thrilled to add to the commendation of this non-profit organization for its outstanding work in helping to ultimately raise not only the literacy levels of our students at the Saddlers Secondary School, but also that of a significant number of students and adults throughout the Caribbean. Well done Harriet and Tom Linskey and the entire Hands Across the Sea team! (Librarian, Saddlers Secondary School)

Your generous donation of books- fiction and non-fiction has benefitted everyone at my school. Thanks for making a difference in literacy. The students were very excited about receiving the books. Staff was able to osganise a class library for every grade. Thanks a million for this BIG BIG contirbution. God bless all in this superb organisation Poleon

Your kind donation of books has help us to start a library which is benefiting the school population, teachers, pupils and the community by extension. Our slow learners are getting the chance to read selected book according to the level and has seen marked improvement in their performance. The donation of stationery like markers, tape,scissors , pencils etc. has made our job as teachers easier to assist the pupils who have been place in our care in these hard economic period. HAND ACROSS THE SEA is well deserving of a five star rating from not only my staff and students but also from the parents visitors and the wider community. Joslyn Augustus, Principal Corinth Government School Grenada

Hands Across the Sea is an amazing organization. I have had the privilege of working with them for the last 3 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer, working at a Primary School in Grenada. Through Hands Across the Sea, we were able to receive some much-needed books and school supplies. Tom, Harriet, and the rest of their staff work dilgently with PCVs and school staff to ensure that the needs of the school are met. It is clear that everyone on the staff at HAS has a passion for improving literacy in the Caribbean. The staff work alongside PCVs and school staff, each step of the way- helping to create specific wish lists, assisting with fundraising stateside, shipping down materials and assisting with delivery, creating thank you notes for donors, doing follow-up visits to Caribbean schools to ensure that schools are happy with their donations and able to utilize the materials, etc. Literacy and the availabilty of good reading materials is a big issue in the Caribbean. Most of the children at my rural school in Grenada would not have had access to reading books at all if it had not been for Hands Across the Sea. I'd like to share an anecdote that really shows how much these kids love the books they've received. Most of the children in my school love the library (which I created from the HAS donations) and are constantly asking to come in at lunch time or after school to read books and play games. However, there's a boy in Grade 6, who is without a doubt the All-Star of the library. Everyday, he takes home a new book (or two) and has it read by the next morning. In class, he's known to be reading during lessons with his book secretly tucked under the desk. Lunchtime, breaktime, after school, you can find him seated quietly in the library, completely engrossed in a book and oblivious to everything going on around him. On my last day at the school, they had a special good-bye assembly for me. As part of the assembly, students were given an opportunity to share a memory with the staff and students about my time at the school. A lot of students came up and thanked me for the library. Then our Library All-Star stepped up on the stage, took the mike, and looked at me. Tears started streaming from his eyes as he thanked me for the library and all of the books. The courage it took for this boy to get up in front of all his peers, thank me for the books and shed tears of gratitude really made it drive home how much the books have made a difference in these kids lives. We never could have done it without Hands Across the Sea.

I became aware of the awesome work of “Hands Across the Seas” organization just over a years ago through a peace Corp Volunteer who I was working with at that time. I was so very amazed at the number of schools and organizations that they were helping in such practical and significant ways to help promote literacy across the region. I became very excited about this news as I had myself with the aid of community and Peace Corp volunteers to run a reading programme in my community and needed some support.
At a time when the government of poor countries like Grenada simple does not have the resources to invest in programmes that are absolutely necessary for the development of their societies. This organization is providing invaluable support thus allowing organizations like ours “Proactive Nation Builders” to continue achieving its goals.
When I contacted Hands Across the Seas I remember having the feeling that this organization really cares. Even though they were not able to commit to helping us that year I was sure that they would do it as soon as they could. To our greatest delight they kept in contact with us always finding out how we were doing and what our needs were. Two of our main goals are to help raise the academic standard which our kids are now performing at by identifying high achieving students at the top of the class and those struggling at the bottom of the grade six classes throughout our school district. Both of these groups are in need of added attention to help them achieve academic success. Our second goal is the promotion of cultural awareness and preservation.
Their support is making a world of difference in what we are trying to do. They share our vision for education in our county and region. By providing our schools and organizations with the tools they need to effectively do their work they are empowering volunteers like me to make our countries a much better place.

For the past three years, Hands Across the Seas has donated boxes of books, crayons, paints, glues and other items to Grenada Roving Caregivers Programme. Through their donations we were able to start our library and a community reading programme for young children. We are extremely thankful and pray that everyone will see their good works. Keep on Serving!

Thank God for Hands across the Sea! Only the good Lord could have guided such wonderful people to act as angels and bring glad tidings to others. Harriet and TL , you are the best! These two dynamos have assisted us at Roseau Primary, Dominica, in so many ways. Our kitchen supplies, painting our cafeteria to make it conducive for eating, the books for our library, a special book collection for boys, assisting in our Princess shows and until recently, ensuring that our food programme continues to feed our entire school population everyday.. all 154 of our students! What more can I say but thanks, thanks, thanks. You have kept our head above the water and we applaud your efforts. Your generosity will not be forgotten. May you all be blessed always as you try to help the less fortunate. Keep up the good work angels! We love you!

We at the Basseterre High School are truly grateful for the addition of books to our library. Our students were so enthused by their arrival that they volunteered their time to assist in the accession and preparation of the books for circulation. Now that the books are on the shelf they are frequently being used. Students are competing with each other over these books. They have encouraged lots of reading amongst our students. A hearty thank you is extended to Hands across the Seas. THANK YOU!!!

Hands Across the Sea, Inc. is a great organization that responded quickly and efficiently to our request for books for our school library. There was such excitement when the boxes arrived, the children could hardly wait for our librarian to prepare the books for the shelves. Each day children would come into the library and browse through the boxes, eager for the new material. Library day (friday) is looked forward to and the children are really enjoying the new books. Thank you Hands Across the Sea! Kids Unlimited School, Antigua West Indies.

I am a Peace Corps Volunteer currently serving in Grenada, where I work at the New Life Organisation and the Programme for Adolescent Mothers in the parish of St.Andrews. Hands Across the Sea provided books, toys, school, and office supplies for the new branch of the Programme of Adolescent Mothers, greatly enriching the school environment for the students. The organization was so helpful and so easy to work with - their contributions to PAM were above and beyond what I expected. The students and teachers use the supplies everyday and we are so grateful for what Hands Across the Sea provided. This is a great organisation that really,tangibly supports schools, NGOs, and Peace Corps volunteers in the Eastern Caribbean.

This organization came to the assistance of the Petit Bordel Secondary School at a time when the school was extremely impoverished in reading material for its library. Students and teachers were both frustrated many of the former were low achievers. The latter, had little or no material to assist in reinforcing what they were teaching. Thankfully, we were blessed in a big way by this organization. Additionally, the personnel who contacted us after we had made the initial contact was extremely professional and so courteous. They deserve outstanding recognition.

Hands Across the Sea values the impact of putting books in the hands of young children in a way that would make you believe they are personally invested in the success of every child in Saint Lucia. The interest that they show in making sure that the best books are selected, shipped, and received is above the call of duty.

Haririet and Tom Linski and team of Hands Across the Sea have assisted the Mt Airy young Readers Programme in Grenada tremendously, by sending educational books to help with our literacy programme. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Hands Across the Sea helped us get great books in excellent condition for the new library at our primary school in Antigua. Thanks!

this organisation has helped the Goodwill Primary School in the Commonwealth of Dominica by providing a Play Centre for our junior students, providing a variety of teaching material. However what impressed me most about this couple is their involvement in the projects itself. They are visible to assist. These people have a real heart of love. We as a school love these people. Two wonderful people with a heart of love. They have left a positive mark at our school. Thanks for your assistance.

If not for the help, caring and encouragement from Harriet,T.L and Allegra, I don't know if the Primary School where I volunteer would still have a working library. I have been volunteering for five years and after many set backs and a lot of frustration, I almost quit but couldn't because of the beautiful, bright and funny children I have met and love so much. They truly want to read and learn. I could not believe the quality of books that were donated,Beautiful! and also the calls and emails and a visit to the school. They really care. It really has inspired me to keep going. Words cannot describe how much I love Hands Across the Sea. Wish I could rate more than 5 stars.

Hands Across the Sea, Inc. continues to be a very generous and conscientious organisation. The Kingstown Government school stands proudly as a recipient of library resources and other educational resources from this organisation.. They responded well during our recent fire crisis in August 2012 by helping to replace burnt library books. Our students have benefited tremendously and are improving day by day in literacy. Long live Hands Across the Sea. May God continue to bless all of its members.

Primary Schools today are facing devastating budget cuts, as well as other government funded educational programs and projects. However, as society becomes more technologically advanced, the quantity and types of resource materials to be used in these schools are increasing. Students are expected to use information from these materials in new and more complex ways to maintain and enhance their literacy skills through life-long learning activities.
For that reason, Hand Across the Sea was contacted immediately for assistance, since the school I am presently employed, was unable to supply the teachers and students with the necessary tools in making teaching and learning more interesting, exciting and effective.
Listed below, are some of the items that were sent to my school, to be used in the Literacy Centre:- Copier/printer, compact disc player, transformer, travel adapter plugs, memory match games, jig saw puzzles, big books, small books, play doh, jump ropes, beads making sets, music CD's, blocks, lacing panels, pencils, crayons, etc.
On behalf of the staff and students of the Kingstown Anglican School Annex in St Vincent and the Grenadines, I will like to say a special THANK YOU to Hands Across the Sea Inc.

The Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School is please to say that Hands Across the Sea is a great organization. The School have recieved many, many boxes of books from this nonprofit group which have been used to set up the school library. We are very proud to say we LOVE Hands Across the Sea

My name is Octavia Alfred and I live on a small island in the Caribbean name Dominica.I worked as a principal of a primary school in a poor rural area called Castle Bruce when I heard about Hands Across the Sea from an American friend. I filled in the information on the internet and the next thing I knew i got an answer and someone was promising me the most wonderful gift my students could ask for- books. we could hardly believe that we were going to receive new books from people we hardly knew- this was too good to be true.. but it was true. Then I understood that I was being moved to be the Principal of the Castle Bruce Secondary School, not too far away. I continue to correspond with Hands Across the sea. I told them I was being moved to a new school but PLEASE send the books to my primary school, because they need the books. Then the best thing happened again, they promised me books for the secondary school. So the students at the secondary who are mainly from the Carib Reserve and other areas which are poor can now borrow books from both school libraries and our students are walking around with a friend called "BOOK" tightly in their hands.Hands across the sea is the best. They did not send us discarded irrelevant books. they sent us new, interesting and relevant books. Thank you Hands Across the Sea, you made our children HAPPY.

Hands Across the sea, is a non profitable organization dedicated to helping children across the world by providing books to aid with their literarcy skills. I am the principal of a rural school in St. Lucia. Our students are so eager to learn but resources are limited and so i contacted this organization through the help of a peace corp volunteer stationed in St. Lucia and together we were able to get a substantial donation of books that catered to the reading levels of the boys and girls of the school. Students found the books quite interesting and thanks to Hands Across the Sea, we had a successfull reading month where the national theme was, Literacy: For Peace and sustainable Human Development. Thanks Hands Across the Sea! Prinicipal Martha Foster

Hands Across the Sea was a hugh help to me and the school I am working at in the Eastern Caribbean. Our school library was full of outdated, damaged books. HAtheS sent 10 boxes of new to nearly-new books along with 3 boxes of school supplies. Not only were there a lot of great books, but they were conscious to choosing relatable books for kids of this region. HAtheS took great care in packaging the books, marking the boxes and getting them through customs. They made the process for my end very easy. Additionally, the donors that contributed to my project received Thank You letters from both the organization, and from students at the school including pictures of the kids reading the books. They really do a great job, and are providing a great service to schools and children of this region.

Several schools in the school district that I serve have received many books over the last few years. Just this year we have received a shipment of books. Literacy is a high priority in our education system, but many rural schools do not have adequate and interesting books for the students. Also many parents are unable to purchase reading books for their children. The students received the book with much excitement and several schools have started school libraries. Thanks so much, Hands Across the Sea for the investment you and the donors are making in Dominican children.

I am a 63 year old African American woman serving in the Peace with my husband who is 65 also AA. I work with a National Woman's organization and he teaches welding in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This experience offers much to us. However, the special needs I had to address was my setting up the Bertha Mutt Lending Library inside the National Women's Council office. Reading about women issues and few shero's Ms. Bertha Mutt name had been lost to history. This organization wanted to have a woman's in place for women to come to...Ms. Mutt was a heroines in 1935 for leading an upraising for protesting thier conditions of proverty, hardship and degradation. She was imprisoned served four hard years and left to history tof find her again. Her story still serves women today...women do relate to high energy costs and food prices. Same as in 1935 and current conditions again on SVG. This unique library tell women's stories thru a new lens. It holds about hundred books titles. All "Authors of Colors. That's what I observed and could provide. It has drawn women in and some men to select and read new authors. And stories for People of Color can relate. The National Council of women has a place where women can come and talk about issues, find resources and get a good book. This was not so as of last August 2011. I asked friends from the USA, South Africa and living on SVG to donate one book for the lending library so women will have stories they maybe able to relate too. Such as Toni Morrison, Denzel Washington, W.E. B. Duboise, Ernest J. Gaines and Walter Mosley, Mary McLeod Bethume. We have been able to secure some well need Carribbean authors such as Joan Purcell. In additon, other books cames thru Hands Across the Sea on women's health has been the biggest lenders the the library. Older women getting books on menoupause, yep and seeing their health issues in black white. These were new authors that share history and pertient issues. New experiences told by folks who were not listed in the school or public libraries. I asked friends to send us one author of Color, they did over 3 boxes came in to set up our lending library....and because of Hands Across the Sea they able to get them here. We have lent over 50 titles to women who then come in, sit down and discuss other issues with our office staff. Thanks Hands Across the Sea...you believed in our vision and effort which is making a big differences in adult reading and related issues. You are a blessing. Mrs. Pat L. Carter, SVG Peace Corps EC83

Hands across the sea has been of great help to our school in the area of reading and writing. The reading materials provided have been very useful to both students and teachers. The wide variety of books has expanded both reading and writing at the school. The majority of our students are very excited about reading and can now read at or above grade level . Thanks to hands across the sea for supplying our school with such great books. Grand Fond Primary

Hands Across the Sea has given the students of the Greggs Primary School a greater chance of reading success. The organisation made a promise to provide us with literature that can improve our literacy program and the promise was kept. We will forever be grateful to the organisation for their support, for enhancing our library and for the opportunity given to our students to explore the world through books.

Hands Across the Sea is a wonderful organization that has helped my school fill the library with new books and provided students with art materials. They are extremely easy to work with and make sure that the needs of the school and students are met at all times. I am very grateful for Hands Across the Sea and hope to continue working with them for a long time.

Hands Across the Sea is an invaluable resource to librairies across the Caribbean. They are dedicated and hard working, making sure the supplies that are needed are received. They go out of their way to analyze the situation and make sure that the subsequent effort is made. I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in a secondary school in St. Vincent. Earlier this year we receieved 16 boxes of books and art supplies which have completely transformed our library and art program. The students are gobbling up the new books and art classes are now in session thanks to the new art supplies.

Hands Across the Sea has upheld the standards of providing great quality books for students in the Caribbean to increase literacy rates. Thanks to this dedicated organization, the secondary school at which I currently serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer now has a semi-functional library. As soon as the books arrived from Hands Across the Sea, a noticeable difference in the students’ attitudes toward reading and learning has been demonstrated. Students were curious and eager to help set up the library and start borrowing books. Before I was introduced to Hands Across the Sea, I was unsure where to begin to obtain new and relevant books to establish a library as the school I was attached (as this was one of the projects outlined for me by the principal). When I arrived at the school there were no books and no library. Without the assistance from Hands Across the Sea, students at this rural secondary school would continue to lack access to books, as they are very expensive. Now, the students can borrow over 500 new books that interest them. The work that Harriet and T.L. do is invaluable to increasing literacy rates, improving educational opportunities but also in building students’ overall character.

The Newtown Primary School in Dominica was the first school Hands Across the Sea adopted in Dominica. This non profit organization was like a beacon of light to the staff and students at the school. The founders of this organisation donated thousands of fiction and non fiction books to the school. Libraries that contributed to a conducive learning environment were built in all classrooms. Teaching materials for all subjects across the curriculum including French were given. Imagine the delight of the students when they received sporting supplies and gears from Hands Across the Sea. The kindness of Harriet and Tom did not end there. These people took personal interest in students and staff members alike. They built the libraries from materials they purchased for each classroom themselves, they help teacher trainees, they taught the students especially those with remedial needs. They took classrooms at the school on days when teachers were absent. They furnished a French room and provided materials to help furnish a numeracy resource center at the school. The kindness shown by the co founders of Hands Across the Sea is indescribable. In my 18 years at the Newtown Primary School I have never seen such generosity. Their contribution has helped the students and staff of the Newtown Primary School tremendously in a variety of ways. Presently, Hands Across the Sea is co- sponsoring the National Primary Schools French Festival carded for June 14th 2012. Hands Across the Sea is a 5 Star organization and I'm giving it to them 'hands down'. Continue doing the life changing work that you are doing Hands Across the Sea. Thanks to you we will have a more educated future generation.

Thanks to Hands Across the Sea, my rural secondary school in the poorest parish of Grenada received enough high-interest, brand-new books to start a new lending library! Books are very expensive and rare in this country, which proved to be a huge barrier in improving literacy rates among teens. They were super professional, timely, and supportive. A wonderful organization!

As a Peace Corps Volunteer on the island of St. Lucia I was assigned to work with a primary school in the heart of the city center, one of the town's oldest schools with very limited resources. Hands Across the Sea provided nine boxes full of age-appropriate books in great condition that became Anglican Primary School's first library. The children are so very excited about the books and often read them in small groups, engaging in heated discussions over topics such as "which reptile is most powerful" and the like. They now have the chance to be engaged and stimulated by books, and it's great to see. Overall, it was a very positive experience working with HATC. They were reliable, communicated clearly what they expected and needed from my role, and even followed up later to ensure the books were being utilized and the school had the necessary resources (bookshelves.)

The books that the village that I live and work in recieced from Hands Across the Sea are not only allowing avid readers to continue in reading additional books, but also encourage struggling readers to do so! Children that I had not seen in the library before, are now coming in to check out books. The grade 6 has noticed reading comprehension increasing, which would not have been possible without the books from this incredible organization. Thank you Hands Across the Sea, for all the work that you've done in St. Lucia as well as the rest of the Caribbean!

Hands Across the Sea has been dedicated to enhancing my school’s library from the very beginning. The library at my school needed a facelift and new, excellent children’s books but I had no idea where to start. Touring libraries of other volunteers across St. Vincent led me to Hands Across the Sea. The organisation immediately got on board and provided my school with hundreds of culturally appropriate children’s books for our library. The books are from the best authors and they give my children the chance to grow their imagination through reading. The books donated have helped build my school’s confidence in the project and I can see a new level of enthusiasm and commitment to our library.

Harriet and Tom have always had a positive and supportive attitude. They help to motivate me and have provided direction when we have difficulty fundraising our renovation. After emailing them stumped and in need of a new lead, they responded instantly offering support and funding for new paint.

My story is not unlike other volunteers on St. Vincent who have worked with their schools to transform children’s reading experience. The projects have outlived the volunteers and helped to address the lack of appropriate, children’s books in public schools.

Hello, I am Norma-Jean Arey, a Peace Corps volunteer on the Caribbean Island of Antigua. I am developing a literacy/library for St. Mary's Secondary and New Winthorpes Primary.

I found out about Hands Across the Sea from another volunteer on another island. Two other volunteers and I contacted Harriet and TL and their response was immediate. They met with the three of us and not only gave us the information on how they could be of service to us, they were enthusiastic and encouraging about what we were doing. They were and still are great cheerleaders!

In the short time of eight months Hands Across the Sea has provided funds for painting. They have aleady provided books and shipped them through a partnership with Mill Reef Club here on the island.

The excitement and interest by the students and teachers in the literacy/library has increased tremendously due to new paint and new books. The students took a great interest in helping with the painting. They were not coereced - they volunteered. It was a wonderful fun two days. We only had two whole gallons of paint (oil based and acrylic) knocked over! This is quite remarkable considering how many students came to help.Since then students casually drop by during breaks and lunch and peruse the books or sit and chat.

Another fantastic quality of Harriet and TL is that they are so accessible. Whenever I have called with a question or a need they get back to me very quickly. Even better - they are (in good old southern terms) just right good folks.

This job would have been very daunting and almost impossible if it had not been for the help and support of Hands Across the Sea.

It is the donations of books and materials from Hands across the Seas that empowered the Stephanie Browne Primary School on Union Island, The Grenadines, St.Vincent; to improve its level of reading skills among our students. It also helped to improve The Schools Reading Programme and aloow students to borrow books every week. Thanks and the staff and students are proud of your efforts in donating to our future generation.

Hands Across the Sea is a dedicated organization to helping children in the Caribbean increase their reading interest and ability. They were wonderful in gathering books for our secondary school where many of the students are behind in literacy. We are working on a school library and they have supplied us with so many great books for the students. Thank you for all the hard work to all the staff and especially Harriet and Tom!

We at the Trafalgar Primary School in the Commonwealth of Dominica are very grateful for Harriet and Hands Across the Sea. We designed and organized a Reading Room at the school in 2010, to improve the literacy levels among our students. It took quite a lot of fund-raising activities to organize this Reading Room. At the end we had very few books which we sought from some donors.
However, while our staff was at a workshop on 17th February 2010, with teachers from neighboring schools creating some Literacy Learning Centers, I met with Harriet Linskey and heard more about Hands Across the Sea. I knew a little about the organization from a news report, on our local radio station. I then invited her to our school to see what could be done for us regarding our project. She came in with her husband Tom on 21st April 2010 and saw the Reading Room with the few books which we had and decided to assist us. She worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer who assisted at the school and asked us for a wish-list. We did send this wish list and much to our surprise we received more than we expected. On 22nd November 2010 we received eight boxes of supplies including 566 books and other school supplies. There was a box of books for boys which is is very useful, since many boys are underachieving. Now our Reading Room is well stocked with books and staff and students alike make good use of them. Some books have also been placed in the School Library, Class libraries and some are used as resource materials for the teachers.
The other school resources are quite useful to us, since we are a small, rural, multigrade school. We also received a printer which came in at an opportune time, because we had no operational printer at the school. This printer came with a number of ink cartridges, so we do not have to buy in the near future. Now the staff prints class activities, assessments, homework, letters and other school documents. Students are eager to come in the room to read presently.
We thank God for the resources which we received from Hands Across the Sea. Without this organization it would have been very difficult for us to stock the Reading Room and we would not have been able to obtain what we have now.
I rate Hands Across the Sea as an outstanding nonprofit organization, which should continue its great work.

While serving as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Dominica in 2010, I met Harriet and TL at my village primary school. They were professional and compassionate. They took the time to sit down with the teachers and me to help us identify needs and explained the process clearly. While the donations were being gathered back in the U.S., they kept in frequent contact and when the supplies arrived on island it was beyond what we could've imagined in both quality and quantity. The process went so smoothly and important books and school supplies got into the hands of those who need them most. Hands Across the Sea cares deeply about the students and teachers it serves in the Caribbean as well as its contributors and actively shows donors where their money or in-kind support goes.

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Grenada from 2009-2011. During my service I heard about Hands Across the Sea and the amazing work they were doing by providing books and materials to students in the Eastern Caribbean so I decided to contact them. Since my first enquiry, Harriet and T.L. had been so welcoming and attentive to the needs of the school I was working with. The Hands Across the Sea team did a tremendous job finding and supplying my school with over 800 books and 3 boxes of office supplies! With those books, we were able to create a 'first-ever' library at my school!

I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in St Vincent and the Grenadines from 2008-2010, and I heard about Hands Across the Sea from our Country Director in the Eastern Caribbean. I got in contact with the organization to see if they could help me with some grant writing and also to build a better collection of books at the secondary school where I worked. I can not say enough good things about Hands Across the Sea, and its cofounder, Harriet. She was so helpful and took so much interest in the work I was doing at my school. From the beginning, she seemed genuinely concerned not only with sending supplies but making local contacts and figuring out exactly what each school in St Vincent really needed. So many nonprofits that work in other countries have the best of intentions, but don't succeed because they never make a real connection with the people they are serving. This organization is different -- with a focus on supporting schools in the Caribbean in a sustainable way. Additionally, the books that we received were amazing -- box after box packed with current, popular young adult fiction, in great condition. Previous to receiving books from Hands, I also received books from two other nonprofits. The books that were donated to my school by Hands were by far the best quality. I really was so pleased with my experience working with Hands Across the Sea and I know that they will do great work in the Caribbean for years to come.

The Isaiah Thomas Secondary school is one of the secondary schools on the island of Dominica that has benefited tremendously from the outstretched Hands Across The Sea. We have seen the construction and refurbishment of A literacy centre which brought about a revived interest in reading among the students. the construction of shelves helped increase storage space in the library and literacy centre. The Lindskeys have been so generous and gracious that they have been welcomed at the school as family members. They are very warm and hard working individuals who have given their time, money and expertise in enhancing and advancing our educational goals. we appreciate and welcome their efforts and willingness to help us purchase some of the furniture and equipments needed to run a successful literacy programme. Considering the limited resources at the school I can safely say that without the contributions form "Hands Across the Sea" we would not have made the strides that we boast of today. so as the Principal of the school I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organization for their intervention in our school life. Thank you 'Hands Across the Sea".

Hands Across the Sea is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhance literacy in the Caribbean. Due to the economic situation, many of our primary schools lack the necessary resources needed for children to succeed. Hands Across saw the need and decided to be proactive. They have provided lots of reading material and school resources to a number of primary and secondary schools in Dominica. They have also assisted in repairing libraries, building bookcases and furniture for secondary, primary and pre-schools. Some of the things I love most about this organization are 1. They visit the schools regularly and actually do the building, repairing and monitoring of material given to schools, to ensure they are put to good use. 2. They recruit other volunteers from the USA who are visiting the island to come in to give assistance. 3. The founders are very humble and passionate about what they do. They have sacrificed their time and talents to help.

I have worked personally with the donors and also received educational material from them which I have used with teachers during workshops. I have learnt a lot from the sacrifices made by them. I have also had first hand experiences of the high quality of work they do voluntarily. This is the best NGO I have personally come across.
Thank you Hands Across the Sea. I pray that many persons will see the great work you are doing and support you. Our children need you. Thank you and God bless you Tom and Harriet and all those who will continue to give to your organization. I pray that you will see the fruits of your labor.

Shermine Bardouille
Ministry of Education
Dominica

I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in St. Lucia. Hands Across the Sea was fundamental in the completion of my main project. I helped develop two Primary School libraries. I created a catalog system, organized everything, and started a checkout routine with the students. My libraries had very few child friendly books and those they had were in poor condition. Hands was able to get us 8 boxes of child friendly, relevant, great quality books per school. They were easy to communicate with and both of my schools were overwhelmed with the extent of our new book collections. Hands was able to navigate around the shipping and customs very smoothly. They run a wonderful, NEEDED, program. Books are hard to come by in the Caribbean and children often do not grow up with the pleasure of reading in their lives. Now the children in the two schools I worked with are literally racing to the library to get their next book.