#Exuma, May 29, 2019 – Bahamas – Through the work of the Access
Accelerator Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) the second private school
on the island of Exuma has successfully accessed $163,000 in investment funding.
Exuma Christian Academy (ECA) was
founded in 2018 by educator and author Keniqua Burrows to expand educational
opportunities on the island of Exuma. The school that educates children from
pre-kindergarten levels up to grade 12, received $100,000 from the Bahamas
Venture Fund, $30,000 in equity investment, $15,000 from the Bahamas
Development Fund and $18,000 from the SBDC grant, making it the largest
investment in the Family Islands through the SBDC to-date.
Burrows said that the idea for the
school came to her three years ago.
“The the vision of Exuma Christian
Academy came to me in a dream about three years ago. God showed me a vision of
a different kind of school on the island,” said Burrows. “A school
that was fun and stimulating and at the same time challenging, one that was
willing to be as flexible as it takes to ensure children enjoy learning. The
kind of school that children don’t feel like it is a chore to go to, that they
enjoy and teaches them to be empowered, to be creative and try new things.”
Closed doors lead to Burrows,
turning to the SBDC for assistance.
“I was thrust into the SBDC
after looking for funding. I had approached several financial institutions,
investment firms and small business persons. However, I discovered that there
was not a whole lot of support for small businesses on the island,” said
Burrows. “Particularly for schools, I got a lot of closed doors when it came to
finding financing. It was through a recommendation from a businessman on Exuma
that I did my research on the SBDC. He thought it would be a good option for
the school. If it had not been for the closed doors, I probably never would
have stumbled upon the SBDC.”
Now, having successfully accessed
investment capital Burrows described it as a blessing and something that she
does not take lightly as a woman operating a business.
“It’s a blessing, that’s the
best way I can put it, it’s a blessing,” said Burrows. “Especially as
a young woman, it is challenging for persons to take you seriously in business.
So, it is a blessing. It’s breath-taking, refreshing. It is a relief. Most of
all, I think it’s encouraging and inspiring. I know that many persons will be
looking at it and they will feel like, if you can do this, I can do this as
well.”
Executive Director of the SBDC Davinia
Blair echoed Burrows sentiments; she was particularly happy that a Family
Island small business had been given such a fantastic opportunity.
“ECA marks the first major
investment to a business outside of New Providence and Grand Bahama,” said
Blair. “For us, that is a big accomplishment because we don’t want the SBDC to
be thought of as a programme for entrepreneurs who live in Nassau. The SBDC is
for all Bahamians from the capital to each of the family islands. As we
continue to set up classes on more islands, we are also utilising technology to
ensure that entrepreneurs are connected and receiving the full experience of
the SBDC.”
Blair was also particularly pleased
that the access to funding ECA received will be an investment into
improving The Bahamas’ human capital.
“This financing is a double
investment. The funding will go far in growing the school but also, the
knowledge, skills and experiences of Bahamians who will impact the country’s
future,” said Blair. “If Bahamians are going to own more
opportunities, they have to be educated, and this is a direct investment into
the human capital of The Bahamas.”
Kendyce Ferguson, SBDC’s advisor to
ECA, described the academy as revolutionary and expressed happiness to be a
part of their growth.
“What Exuma Christian Academy
is trying to accomplish is revolutionary. They want to change the way education
is provided to students on the islands,” said Ferguson. “Sometimes
the islands get a little neglected, and on Exuma, there is only one other private
school option. We know that government schools face many challenges, so, there
needs to be somebody to bridge the gap, and that is what the ECA is trying to
accomplish. I’m just happy to be a part of the transformation of education on
the island of Exuma.”
The SBDC is the product of a tripartite arrangement between the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, University of The Bahamas (UB) and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employer’s Confederation (BCCEC). The Centre will work to guide the development, funding, growth, and evolution of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (“MSMEs”) in The Bahamas.
Release: Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre