PRESENCIA TAINA INC EDUCATIONAL STIPEND

Edcational Stipend


Presencia Taina, Inc. is proud to announce sponsorship of the 2007 La Voz De Caguana (Voice of Mother Earth).scholarship Yabisi Caona educational stipend this will be presented to two Taino students. This stipend is the first of its kind for our community. It is geared towards giving Taino students’ financial assistance with the purchase of school text books.

Applicants for the 2008 Yabisi Caona stipend should be Taino students between the ages of 17 to 25 entering or returning to college and/or technical school in the 2008-2009 year. Students should have demonstrated pride in their culture and have taken an active role in the community teaching others about our unique culture as well exemplifying total respect for their ancestral heritage.

All applicants for the educational stipend must submit an essay—1000 word minimum—describing what they have done to help educate others about our culture and how they see themselves doing this within the context of their future educational goals. Two students will be selected from among the submitted applications. Selections will be based on essay content, school and community references. Each recipient will receive $250 dollars towards the purchase of his/her school curriculum books.

Because we are a Caribbean first nation’s organization, we have decided to give these stipends using a selection process conducive to the ideals of our people. Thereby, all recognized Taino organizations, groups, and yukayekes and/or individuals recognized by our Taino community are invited to applied.

In our efforts to promote our culture PT has always sought ways to motivate the community into collective and collaborative efforts towards that goal. We see these stipends as way to assist in this work. The stipends will be presented at a community luncheon to be held in November 2007 during Native American History Month. Venue details to be announced.

All submissions for the 2008 Yabisi Caona Awards must be entered and postmarked no later than Sunday, September 30, 2007. All documents must be typed, dated and signed and should include the following information:

Name and contact information.
Brief Bio

All students must include their essay,two letters of reference from their current school along with the documents listed previously and two reference letters from community representatives.

For those sending submissions via email, a signed original must follow via mail. No submissions will be accepted after deadline date.

Email your submission in PDF format to Prestaina@aol.com.

Mail your submission to:
Presencia Taina, Inc.
95 West 195th Street, 4H
Bronx, NY 10468

For further information, email: Prestaina@aol.com or call 718-796-2460.