Bringing education and opportunities to underserved Caribbean youth

MSC Foundation sponsors American Caribbean Maritime Foundation

Focus Area: Education, Community Support

The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating maritime educational opportunities for underserved young people across The Bahamas and Caribbean.

It achieves this by funding scholarships and grants for deserving students so they can earn university and college degrees to help them begin their training for maritime careers at any of three regional universities: the LJM Maritime Academy, Caribbean Maritime University, and University of Trinidad and Tobago.

All three institutions provide a solid grounding for a successful career in any area of the maritime industry, from container shipping to port services, logistics and cruises, including all the related hospitality functions aboard and on shore.

Supporting this, the ACMF also funds key educational resources such as computers and the construction of classrooms, helping children from all communities to take their education to the requisite level.

Reflecting MSC’s longstanding partnerships in the region and strong commitment to education as key to a brighter future, the MSC Foundation has become a sponsor of the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s life-changing work. The news was announced on the occasion of the ACMF’s annual Anchor Awards to honour a Caribbean maritime legend and a transformational corporate leader, which took place on the 12th of November 2021.

Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises (USA) and MSC Foundation Ambassador, commented: “Sometimes people don't have an opportunity without support from others. Scholarships are how that works, reaching out to touch young people who may be perfect candidates on their own, but don't have the resources to get the education and training they need. Our support is what really helps them get their foot up and climb the ladder quicker. It works for everyone in the communities and of course it helps MSC in the end, too.”

Commenting on the immediate impact of the MSC Foundation’s sponsorship, ACMF Executive Director Geneive Brown Metzger said: “We are so very appreciative this support, which will enable us to more than double the number of laptops we donate to our academic partners, increasing them from 18 to 38. These devices are vital, especially now when students are studying remotely due to the pandemic. Many of our students do not have computers and are at risk of failing, so these laptops will mean the world to them.”

Picture: Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis and Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises (USA) and MSC Foundation Ambassador