Maria Holder Center

The New Life Organisation (NEWLO) in collaboration with The Maria Holder Memorial Trust officially opened the Maria Holder Hospitality Centre at NEWLO on April 28, 2017 at 10:00am. The new building which is located at NEWLO’s main centre at Palmiste will house the Hospitality Arts programmes. The programmes comprise Commercial Food Preparation and Cookery, Front Desk Operations, Restaurant and Bar Services.

The new Maria Holder Hospitality Centre at NEWLO was officially opened by Grenada’s Governor General Dame Cécile La Grenade.The Chairman and Co- Founder of The Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Mr Christopher Holder delivered remarks at the ceremony and other members of the Trust travelled to Grenada to be part of this important event.

This project forms part of the objectives of NEWLO and The Maria Holder Memorial Trust to empower vulnerable people with relevant skills and certifications that will enable them to find and create employment in the ever growing hospitality industry. The facility, which has a classroom, kitchen and a restaurant space fitted with a bar, will be opened to the immediate community and the general public for restaurant and catering services. With the completion of the project, NEWLO will be able to meet the standards as required by the Grenada National Training Agency (GNTA) for the effective delivery of the Caribbean and National Vocational Qualification (CVQ/NVQ) programmes in a conducive teaching and learning environment.

The Maria Holder Memorial Trust provided the generous funding for the project including the tools and equipment to furnish the facility.  The contract administrator for the project was Cooper Kauffman Consultancy Ltd; the structural engineering was provided by Barry’s Engineering Company Ltd.; and the general contractor was DMJ Construction Management.

The new Centre is expected to cater to over ninety students per year who would not otherwise have access to this opportunity of technical and vocational training to pursue a career in the hospitality industry as part of Grenada’s thrust to enhance its Tourism Sector.

The Maria Holder Memorial Trust’s investment in this Centre is part of its wider regional commitment to provide enabling environments for vulnerable Caribbean communities and their development.

About The Maria Holder Memorial Trust

The Maria Holder Memorial Trust, registered Charity No. 766 under the Charities Act of Barbados, is a Charity creating longevity. Founded by Christopher Holder and Chesterfield Brewster in memory of Christopher’s Mother, Maria Holder. Maria had made Barbados her home since 1978 until her sudden and untimely death in February 2004.  It is the wish of Christopher and Chesterfield to ensure that her vision is fulfilled through this Charity bearing her name.

The Trust works with Government and registered NGO’s and Charities in Barbados and some other Caribbean Countries (Antigua, BVI, Grenada and St Vincent) to implement projects that have a direct impact on the lives of vulnerable people.  The Trust works in the areas of Education, Health, Poverty Alleviation, Culture and Disaster Relief and its target groups are children, youth, the elderly and those in vulnerable or difficult circumstances.  The Trust is always happy to consider innovative projects or new approaches to helping those most in need.