EVEN as she puts together a proposal for financial and other support from the Lions Club International to support a school- feeding programme, President of the New Amsterdam Lions Club, Donna Austin, is appealing to the Ministry of Education and the business community to provide much-needed assistance.In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, Austin said she has begun preparing the proposal and hopes to complete it shortly to submit to the Lions Club International for approval.
The Lions Club of New Amsterdam currently provides hot breakfasts to students of five primary schools in Region 6. Austin explained that the task, though necessary, is not always easy.

“We usually give breakfast to five schools: St. Aloysius, All Saints Primary, St. Theresa Primary, New Amsterdam Primary and Overwinning Primary, which is on the outskirts(of the town),” she said.

She explained that one school is visited each month. “We used to give them lunch, but we found out [that] some schools were already receiving lunch from other organisations, so we started the breakfast.”

The hot breakfast initiative began some 15 years ago. “Since we started, the results have been good. We have had a good response from both teachers and students,” Austin told the Guyana Chronicle.

From 07:00hrs, students can receive a warm meal for breakfast; and according to Austin, the initiative is geared at ensuring that all children, not only the less fortunate or vulnerable, benefit.

“This programme is for all children. What we discovered is that, many times, children go to school without eating, and are not focused in class. It is not only a case of not having anything to eat at home, but sometimes the children rush out of the house without eating anything,” she explained.

She said that since the programme began, reports from the schools suggest that the children are more focused in the classrooms during the morning period. “It is important that these children have proper meals; that’s the only way they will learn what is being taught to them,” Austin opined.

Austin said the teachers have complained about the students not having breakfast before attending school. “When in school, they are not focused, [they are] either sleepy or they disrupt the class…. When they have the breakfast, they will be full and much more focused,” she added.

COST
It costs, on average, well in excess of $50,000 to carry out the feeding programme monthly, as currently, approximately $12,000 are pooled into providing the meals. The cost for labour has not been factored into the overall cost.

Austin explained that, in her proposal to the Lions Club International, she will cater to labour — the employment of two persons at each school, the construction of a kitchen, and the purchase of a refrigerator and stove.

“I have not worked out the amount of money as yet, but it will be well over what [we have] used thus far…. Hopefully, the proposal (would be) approved and we get some support from the Ministry of Education and the business community to assist,” she declared.

Once the programme is approved, Austin said, the Lions Club International will provide support equivalent to one year’s needs. If the programme is successful, it is likely that support would be extended. If not, the business community and support from the Ministry of Education would be valuable.

CHALLENGES
But while the Lions Club of New Amsterdam has been providing breakfast to the five schools, this initiative has not been without challenges. Austin explained that it is within the Club’s mandate to highlight all of its activities and work. As such, fulfilling the mandate of the Club proves a hindrance to persons allowing their children to accept the breakfast.

“Some parents do not want their children to be televised, but we have to televise all of the services we provide…. They really need it…but many children, though they need it, don’t come because of that,” she disclosed.

Austin hopes that parents would not allow the publication of work done by the Lions Club of New Amsterdam to deter them from having their children participate in the programme. “We want every child to benefit. This is not because they are under privileged; it is for children in general.”

It sometimes proves difficult to garner from the business community support for the initiative, because many organisations approach businesses for assistance. “Sometimes when we go, they would have already donated or contributed to other groups, so we are not able to benefit always,” she explained.

It is Austin’s wish that the business community would be a bit more supportive. Notwithstanding the challenges, Austin will submit her proposal with the hope of it being approved.

The Lions Club of New Amsterdam has been in existence for almost 55 years, and has provided service to the people of New Amsterdam in various areas, such as health, education, and nutrition, to name a few.

The organisation also partners with the St. Francis Community Developers, headed by Alex Foster. That organisation has provided tremendous support over the years.