Children of Helen Alliance S.M.A.RT Future Program

HELP US TO HELP THEM

“The best anti-poverty program is a world-class education”-Barack Obama

2018 Children of Helen Alliance Inc., Fundraiser to provide underprivileged Saint Lucian families and students with school supplies and financial assistance for educational costs.

                                   www.childrenofhelenalliance.org    

PROGRAM

Since 2011 Children of Helen Alliance Inc. has instituted a campaign to help our underprivileged families/students in St. Lucia with basic educational supplies. Our endeavor has evolved into the  S.M.A.R.T. Future Program (School Materials and Resources for Tomorrow's Future Program).  Throughout the years, this program has allowed us to serve many communities and schools in St. Lucia including: Vieux-Fort Primary and Infant Schools,  Banse Combined school, Piaye Combined School, Saltibus Primary School, Canaries Combined School, Anse La Raye Combined School, Aux- Leon Combined School, La Guerre Combined School, Ti-Rocher Combined School, Rainbow Bridge Project In Aux Leon, Dennery, Marigot Community Development Association, and Micoud Catholic Church Missionary Childhood Association among others. This year, 2018, we are expanding our outreach to include helping underprivileged St.Lucian families to pay the annual "Secondary School facilities fee of $37-$100 US per student" which is required for continued enrollment in school.

OBJECTIVE

There exist a true correlation between poverty and education.  Through our program, we are hoping that we can break down some of the financial and material barriers that prevent underprivileged children from completing school all the way to the secondary level.  It has been proven that with a good solid education, the life of your family can be improved significantly. Throughout the past years, Saint Lucia’s poverty standing in the world has only slightly improved. Although the 2017 GDP per capita reported in Saint Lucia was $9607.00 US, there is a great divide between the families who have and those who continue to live at or below the poverty level. The majority of the disadvantaged families are headed by young single mothers who have multiple children and little or no formal secondary education. As a consequence, they lack the skills and opportunity for gainful employment to take care of the economic needs of their family. Thus, although primary and secondary education is provided by the country's government and is compulsory for children five to 16 years old, poverty-stricken families often find it difficult to afford school uniforms, books, and other necessary supplies for their children.  At the secondary level for students ages 11-16, in addition to the prior costs mentioned, families are also burdened with the extra costs of annual school facilities fees, daily transportation costs, and other expenditures.  The secondary phase is the most critical years of a child’s education in order to obtain a good job or to move onto the next phase of gaining a tertiary education.  Both of those positives can significantly improve a family's economic outlook and help to eradicate the cycle of poverty. Hence, why we are reaching out to you to help us help them. 

FUNDING

Our funding has come from individual and organizational donations along with fundraising events which have helped us support and empower numerous students. However, to increase the number of beneficiaries we impact and to strengthen our organizational capacity, we require more funding and a diversified donor pool. Any amount that you are able to donate to this cause will be amplified in the future lives of these students. Our goal for 2018-2019 will be $5,000, which will be utilized to provide educational possibilities for these students with hopes of a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.