About 50 underprivileged children are heading into the new school year with one less worry after receiving school bags packed with essential supplies through the Baby Village Foundation’s Back to School Bag Drive.
The initiative targets children between the ages of five and ten, providing families with some relief from the cost of preparing for the 2026/2027 academic year. Each bag contained supplies including crayons, drawing books, colouring pads, pens, pencils, notebooks and pencil cases.
For Baby Village Foundation Founder and President Sharon Pindar, the drive represents part of a much wider effort to support children and families throughout the year. The organisation has been operating for six years, while this marks the second year of its school bag initiative.
Pindar thanked sponsors, relatives, friends and other supporters who contributed to the effort, saying their assistance has allowed the small non-profit to continue making an impact in Saint Lucia. She also revealed that the organisation intends to distribute additional bags and school supplies before the new academic year begins, extending the initiative to more children in need.
Speaking at Friday’s donation ceremony, Coordinator for Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Castries and Baby Village Foundation member Cornelia Lubin reminded the young recipients that the supplies represented more than a gift—they were an opportunity to make the most of their education.
Lubin noted that receiving some of the items normally required on school supply lists would also spare families from having to purchase them. She encouraged the children to enter the new school year ready to learn, while showing respect for themselves and others, reminding them that “success comes to those who keep going.”
Parents were also urged to protect the donated supplies, encourage their children to take care of what they received and remain actively supportive of their education.
The Back to School Bag Drive is only one part of the Baby Village Foundation’s outreach. The organisation also hosts recreational activities aimed at supporting children’s wellbeing throughout the year, including a Christmas party and Easter egg hunt, while also undertaking activities to mark International Women’s Day.
