Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd has announced a $250,000 donation to the student literacy charity, Bermuda Education Network.

Amanda Stewart, head of Employee Experience, Fortitude Re and a BEN board member said: “Fortitude Re is delighted to continue our partnership with Bermuda Education Network.

“Literacy is a fundamental skill that underpins educational success and investing in literacy programming is vital to bridging social and economic inequalities.

“Our partnership with BEN will help local students excel academically and cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and economic growth in Bermuda.”

The company said: “The $250,000 donation will be used to expand education and literacy programming, including Fortitude Re’s Summer Reading Programme, run by Bermuda Education Network in partnership with Somersfield Academy and Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation.

“The reading programme provides accelerated learning for students who have finished P3 but have not yet achieved reading proficiency. Fortitude Re’s donation will enable students participating in the summer programme to receive follow-up services in the subsequent school year.”

Becky Ausenda, Bermuda Education Network’s founder, said: “This donation from Fortitude Re is a game changer for BEN.

“It comes at exactly the right time, as we have identified several opportunities to collaborate with our partners to enhance our reading and experiential learning programmes.

“Fortitude Re’s support will allow us to seize these opportunities and do more of what we are passionate about: building a community of teachers who are responsible for reading instruction and providing them with resources and opportunities to help their students.

“The donation will help every public primary school in Bermuda and will result in hundreds of students receiving the support and inspiration they need to become confident and enthusiastic learners.”

In addition to financial support, Fortitude Re employees volunteer as story readers at the BEN Book Club, a monthly event for young children and their families. The book club is designed to foster early phonic awareness, language development and a love of reading and learning.