Hon. Mark Brantley

Within a matter of weeks the Honorable Mark Brantley is expected to sign a deal to fund a Trust Foundation for Nevis' youth to the tune of at least US $1million.

Speaking exclusively with The Observer, Brantley revealed that he had been lobbying for the trustees of the Windsong Trust to pledge monies for education in Nevis.

Windsong Trust is a California-based charitable organization established under the will of American philanthropist Martin Crowley. Crowley died in Anguilla in 2003 and he left his entire multi-million-dollar estate to the American charitable organization Windsong Trust, which provides educational assistance to underprivileged children in Third World countries.

"I represented the Estate of Martin Crowley for the past seven years, including complex litigation lasting over five years. Mr. Crowley left his entire estate to charity for the education of underprivileged children under the age of 18. He had been resident in Anguilla, hence the initial pledge to Anguilla of US$2 million, of which US$450,000 has now been paid," he informed, referencing the first grant to the Omolulu Educational Foundation in Anguilla to assist them with the construction of a new campus at Cauls Pond.

"I invited the Trustees to visit Nevis with me and lobbied them to pledge monies for education in Nevis. They agreed to pledge US$1 million as a first tranche."

Anguillan attorney Keithley Lake, vice president of the Windsong Anguilla Foundation, confirmed that Windsong would be forming a similar foundation in Nevis.
Brantley said the agreement is in its final stages.

"We are working on the paperwork now. It has taken a lot of hard work and constant lobbying for Nevis but I feel confident that we will have an announcement in Nevis soon to fund the Nevis Foundation with the promised US$1 million."

The Nevis arm of the Trust will benefit the education of underprivileged children under the age of 18, and it is expected that interested persons or organizations involved with educating said children would submit applications for grants. Trustees for the grant, Brantley said, would be selected locally once the arrangement was complete.

"With respect to its administration, the local trustees would consider and evaluate such applications and decisions would be made accordingly," he informed.

The announcement of the Windsong Anguilla trust was first made in 2003, however the first grant was received just last week. Brantley, the Opposition Leader and Concerned Citizens Movement Nevis #9 parliamentary representative, who was present at the Anguilla ceremony, said the Trust for Nevis however, could see its first grant in the very near future.

"We expect the monies to be remitted to Nevis within a matter of weeks after some paperwork is completed. We look forward to partnering with the people of Nevis in carrying out the wonderful legacy of Martin Crowley. I am hopeful that all schools and educational institutions involving children under the age of 18 will grab the opportunity to apply for grants."