Basseterre, St. Kitts - The Advancement of Children Foundation (ACF), in keeping with its objectives, presented a cheque in the amount of EC$10,000 to the St Peters Eagle Boyz Club - a voluntary community-based project established in 1995 and whose motto is “Striving for Excellence not Violence”. The Club’s aims are to eradicate crime in the community by developing the spiritual, physical, educational and moral needs of boys at risk.
The presentation took place at the St Kitts Marriott Hotel on Wednesday 19 May 2010; the first cheque was received by the Boyz Club representative, Ms Shorna Maynard. The Foundation proposes to fund the project to the tune of $40,000. Ms Maynard thanked the Foundation for this much needed financial support and stated that this money would make a great difference not only to the future of the Boyz Club but also to the academic and personal outcome of the young men that pass through its doors.
The goal of the Boyz Club is to create an after-school programme, focusing on the areas of English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Study Skills - all with the implementation of modern technology. To date, the Club has a total of 75 boys ranging in age from 5-16. The boys that attend the Club hail from the areas of Stapleton, Upper and Lower Monkey Hill and other surrounding villages in St Peters. The Club’s records show that tremendous impact has been made on the youth in St Peters by providing counselling and mentoring to strengthen the holding and channelling of the boys’ interest in activities other than sport.
The presentation was made by the Chairperson of the Advancement of Children Foundation, Ms Leah Sahely. Ms Sahely informed the gathering that the Board of the ACF was impressed with the Boyz Club project and looked forward to seeing their goals achieved. The ACF has proposal criterion of developing skills within the youth, prevention of delinquency and criminal behaviour for the benefit of the community as a whole. This criterion must be met to enable a funding application request to be considered.
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.
For more information about the Advancement of Children Foundation and details of how to apply for a grant, visit them on their website at www.acfstkittsnevis.org.
