Local nonprofit LIFE (‘Literacy Is For Everyone’) is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the charity in its mission to improve literacy in the Cayman Islands.
According to a Facebook post, LIFE is looking for applicants who are “passionate about literacy, believe in early childhood provision and access to quality education for all”.
The successful candidate will succeed current Executive Director Juliet Austin.
“Working against the backdrop of this global pandemic, LIFE’s work has never been more critical. We look forward to recruiting a new executive director who is passionate about driving change and advocating for young people’s right to access quality education irrespective of socio-economic factors,” Austin said in an email to the Cayman Current.
“Addressing foundational literacy for children aged birth to 5 years is a game-changer and I am so honoured to have been part of this pivotal chapter in Cayman’s education story. Literacy is empowerment!”
Austin’s joined LIFE in October 2020. At the time, she sat down with the Current for an interview about LIFE’s initiatives and her plans for the organisation.
Before and during Austin’s tenure, LIFE dealt with obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading a coalition of public and private entities in the ‘Education for Everyone’ initiative that provided 1,600 laptops to public school students.
In April, LIFE announced its new ‘Thrive By Five’ programme to foster a love of language in preschool-age children before they learn to read. The volunteer component of that programme was also impacted by COVID spreading in the community this fall.
‘Thrive By Five’ to promote literacy among Cayman’s preschoolers