Parents from the Soufriere community and surrounding areas benefited from another initiative of the parliamentary representative for Soufriere/ Fond St. Jacques, Emma Hippolyte, aimed at supporting students as they prepare for the upcoming school year. At a small ceremony held on August 16 and 21, 2024 at the Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques Constituency Office, cheque disbursements were made to over 400 parents, providing much-needed financial assistance to help cover the costs of school supplies for their school children.
This marks the 3nd year of this generous initiative of the parliamentary representative. The initiative is aligned with Honourable Hippolyte’s election slogan that “Aunty Emma cares” and the St. Lucia Labour Party’s election promise of “putting people first.” Recognizing the financial challenges that many families face during the back-to-school period, the disbursements were designed to alleviate some of the burdens, ensuring that students have the much-needed resources they need to succeed in their academic endeavors.
Disbursements were made on a tiered basis with parents with one school child receiving $300, two school children $500 and three children and more $700. The distributed cheques are intended to be used by parents to purchase, among other things, essential school supplies, such as uniforms, books, and other educational materials. This disbursement compliments the EC$500 given by the Government of Saint Lucia to the parent of any child entering form one of any of the island’s secondary schools to assist with purchasing educational supplies.
In her address, Honourable Hippolyte, reminded parents that, “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.” Disbursements were made to all applicants regardless of political orientation, an action which is in line with the policy of the Government of Saint Lucia that ‘no child is left behind’.
She added that by helping parents overcome the financial strain of education costs, we are investing in the future of Soufriere and of Saint Lucia. “I am resolute in my belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, and initiatives like mine reduces 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”.
The receiving parents were full of praise for the kind donation. One parent highlighted her gratitude by stating that, “Aunty Emma is putting our children first” and that she is greatly appreciative of Miss Emma and Mr. Philip J. Pierre for the disbursement which will go a long way in assisting her.