In a landmark moment for community-focused education investment in Antigua and Barbuda, the community group Soca Army has officially handed over a brand-new public address system to Holy Trinity Primary School on the island of Barbuda. The donation marks the completion of a pledge made during last year’s Aunty Claudette’s Kiddies Fete, a popular local fundraising event that channels proceeds back into educational infrastructure across the twin-island nation.
In an official statement released Saturday by event organizers on the ground in St. John’s, Soca Army confirmed that the handover aligns with the organization’s core mission of reinvesting in local communities and nurturing the next generation. “This morning, Soca Army proudly fulfilled the promise made through Aunty Claudette’s Kiddies Fete by donating a PA system to Holy Trinity Primary School as part of our commitment to giving back to the community,” the group shared, emphasizing that every step of the project has been driven by community support.
Looking ahead, the initiative is set to scale up significantly, with 2026 bringing a targeted shift to serve secondary education institutions across the country. Under the expanded plan, Soca Army aims to stock the music rooms of 12 secondary schools with new musical instruments, with one of the first scheduled beneficiaries being Sir McChesney George Secondary School, located in Barbuda. “This year, we are going even bigger. Aunty Claudette’s Kiddies Fete 2026 will focus on secondary schools, with our goal of providing musical instruments for the music rooms of 12 secondary schools,” the statement added.
Organizers were quick to credit the widespread public backing the event has received since its launch, noting that ongoing community participation is the backbone of the group’s ability to advance youth development across the nation. “Because of your support, we are able to continue investing in our youth, their talent, and their future,” organizers said.
Reaffirming the initiative’s long-standing ties to the island of Barbuda, the group emphasized its commitment to centering the needs of all communities across the twin nation, adding: “Soca Army never forgets Barbuda. Aunty Claudette never forgets Barbuda.” With preparations for the 2026 fundraising fete now underway, organizers are calling on the general public to continue supporting the effort, with the goal of delivering even more tangible, life-changing improvements to education across Antigua and Barbuda in the coming years.