Giving the advantage of education

The island countries of Dominica and St. Vincent are extremely disadvantaged. Many citizens do not have running water electricity or basic sanitation. One of the greatest disadvantages in these countries is the lack of education. This deficit impacts the children today, but more importantly, it impacts the future of Dominica and St. Vincent.

To improve opportunities for higher education as well as employment, our goal is for every child in Dominica and St. Vincent to be literate by age 16. Through our Enhancement Education program, children’s progress is monitored through Child Progress Reports. Remedial classes and life skills and literacy programs use informal activities to promote learning. We even sponsor spelling competitions, which are often broadcast live on national radio between schools in partnership with the local school authorities. By providing information about juvenile violence and delinquency, drug and substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and the dangers of promiscuous behaviors, we empower youth to become contributing members of the community.

There are also multiple ways we inspire learning in children before they reach school age. Through our Home Intervention program, caregivers go into the homes of at-risk and vulnerable families to show parents precisely how to stimulate their infants, toddlers and young children (through the age of three) and make toys from local materials for use as learning tools. Our Fathers Only Session program works with fathers to become positive role models for their families by volunteering in the program.

To attend preschool through ChildFund, children must have all of their immunizations up to date as well as regular check-ups. Our Early Childhood Development program partners with primary health care workers to track children's immunizations and general health care. Parenting programs educate parents about nutrition and good eating habits and inform parents on diabetes, a common condition for women in these two countries.

Many families are in need of sanitation facilities. Once we identify the families in greatest need, the District Environmental Health Officer from the Ministry of Health provides technical training and support and construction of latrines and sanitation systems. We also train women in rural areas to have marketable skills, such as sewing. Not only does this give them a way to earn a small living but it also allows them to continue to learn and encourages socialization.

Just because these island countries are geographically separated doesn’t mean they must also be isolated from support. Help us give the children of Dominica and St. Vincent a helping hand and a reason to hope.