The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), commenced distribution of financial assistance to students who are beneficiaries under its “Adopt a classroom" programme on Thursday 27th July. 

This programme has been designed by the ZHTF to assist children from communities with the highest levels of poverty in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with meals and other basic necessities to ensure that they attend school regularly. There are two hundred and ninety-five (295) students receiving support under this programme.

The components of the programme are: the provision of meals each day, the provision of all text books recommended by the Ministry of Education, and $350.00 to each child to assist with the purchase of school uniforms and other school supplies.

In addition, the students will undergo regular medical checks and will further be assessed by reading specialists.   The programme commenced in 2016 with 195 kindergarten children from seven primary schools as follows:

• Chateaubelair
• Barouallie Anglican
• Barouallie Government
• Fair Hall Primary School
• Sandy Bay Government
• Fancy Government School
• Mayreau Primary school

All of these students, the majority of whom have progressed to grade 1, will continue to receive the same support from the ZHTF for the 2017/18 academic year.  In addition, five kindergarten classes have been added to the programme. The children are drawn from:

• Rose Hall Primary School
• Clare Valley Government School
• Calliaqua Anglican School
• Lauders Primary School
• Gomea Government School

 The value of the support to each child is approximately $1,500.

SOURCE: API