The Advancement of Children Foundation (ACF) handed over a cheque for EC$20,000 to help support the Diamonds in the Rough project.
The presentation took place at the Washington Archibald High School on Saturday, 10 October 2009, with students and mentors involved in the project, as well as representatives from the ACF (including the Rotary Clubs of St Kitts, Liamuiga and TDC). Chairperson of the ACF, Ms Leah Sahely, stated that she was happy to support the Diamonds in the Rough project as it was in line with the ACF goals and mission statement. In particular she said “The programme offers a variety of activities for the youth with a focus on building self-esteem of the students. These activities are aimed at deterring delinquency and reducing crime and violence in the Federation among youth. The program also aims at improving academic success for students in fifth form by offering support in the form of mentors, during the final year of high school”. She noted that studies have shown that children with healthy self-esteem display success in all aspects of their life beyond the school years. The assumption for the project was that the use of caring mentor relationships, self-esteem building tools and activities would have a significant impact on student self-esteem and their functioning in a school setting and beyond.
The EC$20,000 grant from the Advancement of Children Foundation will go towards the running costs for class field trips, personal enrichment activities, learning materials, classroom enhancements, mentor training and a program manual that could be used by concerned persons to begin a similar programme. The group will provide a range of activities - including games, field trips, and creative arts to name a few. Dr Sybil Allen-Jones thanked the ACF for its contribution to the project, as funds for the activities in the past were provided by the mentors themselves. She indicated that the project has been in existence over the last two years and that its implementation was encouraged by successful examination of the results from a self-selected form 5 student study group at WAHS. Dr Allen-Jones explained the goal of the project “was to provide the use of caring mentor relationships, self-esteem tools, and activities that would have a significant impact on student self-esteem and their functioning in a school setting and beyond.” She also explained how the name came into being “ A diamond when extracted from the ground has rough edges, yet once subjected to care and attention, becomes polished and exquisite - so too children require support, nurturing and caring relationships to help them shine”.
The Advancement of Children Foundation was established to offer financial support to groups which provide services falling into categories such as offering positive activities for young people to promote good citizenship or prevent anti-social behaviour, enhancing parenting skills and/or family development, developing skills in youth and preventing teenage pregnancy.
Under the scheme any organisation that supports these aims and objectives can apply for a grant of up to EC$40,000. Money for the grants is generated by the Rotary Clubs of St Kitts and Liamuiga, five founding corporate partners (LIME, National Bank, Marriott, Christophe Harbour and TDC) and active fund-raising. The Foundation sponsored 5 students to attend the Parenting Facilitators Course currently being held at UWI Open Campus but this is the first group that has submitted a project proposal and has successfully received funds.
For more information about the Foundation and details of how to apply for a grant, please log on to www.acfstkittsnevis.org or call 465-0223 or (465-0-ACF).
