ASOT MICHAEL’S recent project to improve two Antigua-area primary schools underscores his ongoing commitment to the community. Michael, a long-time Member of Parliament, has been serving the Saint Peters Constituency for decades as a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.

As the third-generation leader in the Antiguan community, Asot Michael considers the Saint Peters’ school improvements just one of several projects that will help the twin-island nation thrive in coming years.

How Asot Michael is Working to Improve Schools

Pares Primary and Parham Primary in the Saint Peters region of Antigua will soon receive much-needed internal and external improvements. Students are also receiving personal items to help them to learn and to stay healthy.

After identifying two schools desperately in need of rehabilitation, Asot Michael set out to pinpoint the specific work needed in each school. He has worked to raise the money needed to make those improvements become reality.

Both schools need painting. They also have inadequate hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizing stations. Sanitizing resources are more urgent than ever during times of worldwide or local pandemics. In addition, Pares Primary can now build a security booth at its entrance.

Asot Michael noted that both schools have gradually declined over the past two decades. He attributes this deterioration to past neglect by such entities as the United Progressive Party.

Addressing Immediate Needs

Of course, students still need to learn during the period of reconstruction. For that reason, Asot Michael recently arranged to fill that gap. In September, he handed out 221 “Back to School” packages to students in both schools. The packages contain the supplies he ascertained were most needed after visiting both schools.

Each of the 221 students received items suited to their respective grades. For example, the youngest students acquired lunch kits, crayons and stationery sets, along with a school bag. Michael gifted Grades 2 and up with lunch kits, pens and pencils, rulers, exercise books, geometry sets, and a school bag for these and other supplies.

In addition, all students received the supplies needed to stay healthy and safe. At the top of that list are face masks and sanitizers.

What Comes Next?

According to Asot Michael, physically improving local schools is just one step in the journey toward helping the community thrive. Boosting the educational infrastructure builds trust between residents and local leadership.

A better relationship between government and community members isn’t the only benefit. Improving schools and other public projects also helps attract new people to the area, Asot Michael pointed out. A promising cycle soon develops. A greater number of residents creates a demand for more public infrastructure and commercial development.

In turn, businesses create new jobs to construct and staff these projects. Finally, the more shops and services that grow within the community, the more the income that flows to them stays in the community.

When it comes to existing and future commercial developments, Asot Michael reiterates his support for small businesses. In fact, even before joining public service, he founded Asot’s Arcade, a retail store and casino in Saint Johns. In addition, he serves as President and CEO of Sarkis Management Company Ltd.

Additional Projects Supported by Asot Michael

Asot is a former Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy. As such, he strives to address the immediate needs of his community. At the same time, he believes encouraging visitors will strengthen Saint Peters for the long-term. To that end, many of the projects he pursues seek to advance one or both of those goals.

The nation’s Social Protection Act, for example, has been enthusiastically supported by Asot Michael. Passed earlier this year, the legislation helps vulnerable populations such as homeless, elderly and disabled people. Among other improvements, a database will keep track of the challenges and needs of various citizens. The Social Protection Act also establishes a tribunal so that people can lodge complaints if they’re turned away from the help they need.

“The Social Protection Act is bound to create unprecedented change in the lives of countless participants,” Michael noted.

On the tourism front, Asot Michael promotes the upcoming Antigua Sailing Week. This event promises to repair some of the economic damage caused by the global pandemic. Antigua Sailing Week cancelled due to Covid-19 in 2020, is traditionally a major tourism draw to the twin-island nation. It’s slated to return in 2021, from April 24th through April 30th.

The annual sailing event draws an international group of participants. Sailors and boating fans come from Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Michael points to the importance of fundraising efforts such as those of the Friends of Antigua Sailing Week. FASW works to make sure the crucial tourism event can happen. Funds raised help supply volunteers with the necessary equipment. Chartered catamarans and other support boats to monitor and safeguard all participants also happen through fundraising.

Another crucial component of Antigua and Barbuda’s future involves training on several levels. Michael points to job skills training as an important focus. The community should also offer residents the opportunity to learn financial literacy, he asserts. This multi-level training creates a cycle of wealth. People learning higher-level skills prosper, while new work emerges for service workers.

Asot Michael pointed to the predictions of economists such as Jeremy Stephen regarding Covid-19 economic recovery. Stephen and other experts urge a concerted effort involving infrastructure and tourism outreach. This can allow Antigua and Barbuda to rebound in as little as two years.

More About Asot Michael

Born in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, Asot Michael grew up in Antigua. He attended Saint Joseph’s Academy, a secondary school in Saint Johns, Antigua. After completing his Cambridge Ordinary Level GCE in 1986, Michael moved to Florida, U.S., in order to further his education.

He received his Bachelor’s of Science, with an Honors in Business Administration, from Miami Shores’ Barry University. Michael then went on to earn an MBA at the University of Miami, and to study law at the University College of London.

Asot Michael’s career of public service began in 1995. In that year, he served as Special Administrative Assistant to Antigua Prime Minister Lester Bryant Bird. He entered the Upper House of Parliament in 1999. During his tenure in Parliament, Asot Michael has served a number of key roles. These include Minister of State, Minister of Public Works, and Leader of Government Business in the Senate.

In 2004, Asot Michael joined the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. He was elected as the ALP Representative for Saint Peters Constituency. He has been re-elected in three subsequent elections. His roles have included the Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment, and Energy. He has also served as Minister of Investment and Trade.