How Project INSPIRE helped transform Anguila’s classrooms
Meads Bay was where it began – a beautiful shoreline, a welcoming people and the beginning of a bond that would grow into something lasting. For tech entrepreneur Andy Hunn and his wife Cris, their first stay at Frangipani in 2013 became the start of an enduring connection with Anguilla – one that would eventually help transform the island’s educational landscape. Drawn in by the island’s beauty and the warmth of the Anguillian people they encountered, the couple soon became devoted visitors.
After hurricane Irma in 2017, they discovered the outpouring of online concern on Anguilla’s popular Facebook groups, and Andy realised they weren’t alone in their affection for the island. ‘We thought it was our little secret,’ he laughs, ‘until we saw how many others wanted to help.’ That shared spirit of generosity gave rise to the Anguilla Initiative – a US-based nonprofit that offers a tax-deductible way for overseas supporters ‘to give back to this wonderful country and its people in exchange for all the incredible, unforgettable experiences, relationships and memories that it has given to us’.
The global pandemic marked the Initiative’s first opportunity to step in. During Anguilla’s lockdown, it raised $30,000 dollars to fund food vouchers for families in need. As his kids stayed at home and transitioned to remote learning, Andy spotted an opportunity to help when he discovered that Anguilla’s students and teachers didn’t have the tools to support digital learning at home or in the classroom.
Working closely with the Department of Education, Anguilla Initiative launched Project INSPIRE, a comprehensive e-learning initiative to equip schools with a full digital toolkit: Promethean smart boards for classrooms, laptops for teachers and students, Wi-Fi infra – structure and comprehensive teacher training. Thanks to a generous partnership with Lenovo, committed donors and government support, Project INSPIRE has raised over US $2.5 million – and transformed every primary classroom on the island.
In the 2025–2026 school year, Anguilla Initiative hopes to fundraise and complete INSPIRE’s roll out to the secondary school level. Along the way, Andy has created lifelong friendships with the Anguillians he has partnered with – like Chief Education Officer Bren Romney and Programme Manager Khonn Hazel-Fleming. This is only the first chapter – Andy is already dreaming up future projects with the same mission: to give back to the island that has given him so much.
The Anguilla Initiative is actively seeking donations to complete the final stages of Project INSPIRE – to learn more or contribute to please visit www.Anguillainititiative.org.
