Parents in the Soufriere community and surrounding areas received financial support to help their children prepare for the upcoming school year. The initiative was led by Emma Hippolyte, the parliamentary representative for Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques. At a ceremony on August 16 and 21, 2024, at the Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques Constituency Office, cheques were distributed to over 400 parents. The funds provided much-needed assistance to cover the costs of school supplies.
Third Year of Financial Support Program
Notably, this is the third year of Hippolyte’s initiative. It aligns with her election slogan, “Aunty Emma cares,” and the St. Lucia Labour Party’s promise to put “people first.” The initiative recognizes the financial challenges many families face during the back-to-school period. The goal is to ease these burdens and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.
Tiered Financial Assistance for School Supplies
Additionally, the financial aid was distributed based on the number of school-aged children. Parents with one child received $300, those with two children received $500, and those with three or more children received $700. The cheques are intended to help parents buy essential school supplies, such as uniforms, books, and other materials. This support adds to the EC$500 provided by the Government of Saint Lucia to parents of children entering secondary school.
Call for Community Involvement
In summary, Hippolyte reminded parents of the importance of community involvement in youth development. In her address she said, “It is important that everyone play their part to develop the academic and technical capacity of the community’s youth so that they can achieve their full potential. This disbursement represents my personal contribution to the educational development of your child.” The cheques were given to all applicants, regardless of political affiliation. This approach aligns with the government’s policy that “no child is left behind.”
Investing in the Future of Soufriere
Ultimately, Hippolyte also emphasized that easing the financial burden of education costs is an investment in Soufriere’s and Saint Lucia’s future. She stated, “I am resolute in my belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, and initiatives like mine reduce the likelihood that financial barriers stand in the way of their educational journey. So rest assured that as long as I remain your parliamentary representative, I will continue to seek ways of investing in the education of your children.”
Parents Express Gratitude
Parents expressed their gratitude for the assistance. One parent said, “Aunty Emma is putting our children first.” She thanked Hippolyte and Mr. Philip J. Pierre for the support, noting it would significantly help her family.
Support/Photo credit: Government of St. Lucia
