By Admin. Updated 11:05 a.m., Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Nine (9) children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) began the new school year with high-quality bag packs and school supplies donated by the US-based Patrice Reddock Uniform Fund under its back-to-school program.
According to information received from the US-based non-profit organization, some of the items the children received include brand name bag packs, shoes, uniforms, and stationery.
The head of the organization – Ms. Patricia Reddock told One News SVG on Monday (September 4) that the program features a two-year grant that is given to students from families facing financial challenges and trauma.
“We focus on families with financial challenges and traumatized children and the only requirement is that our children attend school at least 85% of the term,” Ms. Reddock said, adding that, “the school principals are involved in the selection process and help to identify needy children.”
She said the selection process takes place at the end of each school year.
“Once we accept a child into our program, the first year, they receive a complete uniform package which includes: uniform shirts, uniform overall or shorts and a games set from Jax.
We purchase school shoes, games sneakers, socks, underwear and a book bag in the NY area to complete their uniform package. Then we ship those items to SVG and distribute them to the families,” she said.
She said: “In the 2nd year, we provide school supplies for the children who received a uniform package the prior year. So, we basically make a 2-year investment into these primary school children.”
“During the time the children are enrolled, we serve as advocates for the families at the schools, and we provide other supports,” she added.
This year, several parents have expressed gratitude for the organization’s support.
Here is a video of an excited student. This video was submitted by a parent.
The organization’s motto is: “We give Vincy children wings so they can fly.”
The organization which is led mainly by people of Vincentian descent was created in 2019. Since then, it has assisted more than 45 students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The head of the organization – Ms. Patricia Reddock told One News SVG on Monday (September 4) that brand name items are sent to help boost children’s self-esteem.
“We send brand name, quality items because we focus on building self-esteem. Our goal is to remove the visual barriers that identify the haves from the have-nots in the school setting. Confident children are more willing to fully participate in school activities,” she said.
In describing the organization, Ms. Reddock said: “We are a group of friends who prefer to remain in the background. But I named it for my mother since we supply uniforms and apparel for children. She was a fashion designer who was the first woman in the Caribbean region to own and operate a garment factory that produced her own designs. She was active from the early 70s up to 2018. Patrice Reddock passed away in July 2019.”
This year, the organization extended its assistance to help a differently abled child.
“This is the first year we supported a differently-abled child. So this year, in addition to all the items in the Ministry of Education – MOE booklist, we included Braille supplies (Braille paper, Braille abacuses, and Braille Uno card games) to assist the school with supporting children who are visually impaired. We intend to continue serving differently abled children, Ms. Reddock said.
Other principal members of the organization include – Wendy Diamond, AnneMarie Cesar-Nazon, and Tinique Primus.
One News SVG 