Something Special is a unique initiative that provides children from Jamaica's innercity an opportunity to recieve kindergarden and primary education at quality educational institutions.
A good education is the right of every child. A child's potential should not be limited by economic and social circumstances.
Something Special ensures children living in poverty receive the education they deserve by enrolling them in one of Jamaica's better resourced schools.
A child's earliest years are the most crucial to their development and future success in school and in life. It is known that a break-down in early childhood and primary education is linked to the cycle of violence and poverty. Children from impoverished environments tend to reap the most dramatic benefits from early childhood programs.
"... for many children, preschool programs can mean the difference between failing and passing ... staying out of trouble or becoming involved in crime and delinquency, dropping out or graduating from high school." (KidsCount Publication 2005.)
Many Jamaican public schools are overcrowded, under-staffed and under-resourced. Inner-city schools are frequently threatened by violence, burglaries and gang warfare. Even the brightest children find it hard to learn under these conditions and many fall behind.
In addition to these challenges, the expense of education is overwhelming for many Jamaican parents. Books, uniforms, lunch money and transportation cost more than many parents can afford. The reality is that only parents with an ample income can ensure their child receives the best education possible. For these reasons, Something Special focus' on the early education of inner-city children.
Something Special raises funds for a selected child's education for a total of 9 year - 3 years kindergarten and 6 years primary school. The funds raised will complement what the child's parents can afford to contribute.
Something Special is currently raising money for the education of two children, ages 8 and 6, from the inner-city community of Arnett Gardens. They have been in the programme since they were 5 and 3 respectively and have excelled at school. Once funding is secured for all nine years of their education, Something Special will select another participant.
Fundraising will occur in Canada and Jamaica.
First and foremost, Something Special is the children. The people behind the children are educators, journalists, researchers, business people and social workers in Jamaica and Canada.
These volunteers have first-hand experience of the potential of these deserving children and have pooled their resources and talents to create Something Special.
Any little bit counts!!
For further information to see how you can get involved contact somethingspecialeducation@gmail.com or call Erynn Lyster at 1-403-399-1716