Linden-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) – the For the Children Sake Foundation (FCSF) – on Saturday distributed over 200 backpacks and school supplies to children in the community.
Executive Director of FCSF, Vernon Todd, said the purpose of the organisation’s ‘Back-to-School Backpack and School Supply’ distribution is to ensure that low-income and underprivileged children in the Linden community start the school year with the tools they need, feeling prepared and ready to learn.
“This year, we planned to serve more than 200 children/adolescents for back-to-school season in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Each child in our programme is given a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. We serve the children during the back-to-school season and distribute the goods in time for the first day of school. These items make a difference. We serve underprivileged and low-income students entering nursery, primary and secondary school,” Todd said.
He added that many families are struggling with unemployment, and that more than 500 students are enrolled in the organisation’s free and reduced meal programmes, adding that many parents are unable to provide the basic school supplies their children need.
“In addition, schools across the country are facing severe budget cuts and lack the funding to purchase necessary supplies,” the executive related.
Moreover, FCSF’s Programme Manager, Tishon Fraser, said the items made a huge impact on the students’ lives and were a huge motivation for them to start school.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer, Fiano Braithwaite, expressed gratitude to the Linden Fund; Bobby Noel; Adolescent Health Programme/Maternal Child Health (MOPH); Regional Education Officer, Marcia Andrews; Dr Gregory Harris; Minister Nicolette Henry; Food For The Poor; among others, for their contributions.
So far, over 600 backpacks equipped with school supplies have been distributed to students of nursery to secondary school and 25 adolescents received $5000 each to assist with materials for University under the initiative.
Todd said the For the Children Sake Foundation and Linden Fund are two organisations that exist to remove the barriers that local families may have in relation to learning.
