Community News
The Global Students Development Foundation
BY MICHAEL THOMAS
The atmosphere found on April 25th, 2019, on the 28th floor of Hotel X, was full of laughter and enjoyment and to the untrained eye, it could be viewed as just another early spring party; but beneath the smiles, giggles, and greetings there was a serious agenda being discussed. How do we as a community come together to help the children of Jamaica and the Caribbean region?
Karen Ergus, a registered dental hygienist and corporate lawyer, told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “I take my skill to Jamaica to do dental work in the community for the children. I clean their teeth, I educate them, and basically apply preventative measures as opposed to just pulling teeth which should be a last resort, Being from the island it is part of my heart just to give back.”
Giving back is a part of radio personality Jennifer Huntley (aka Baby G’s) life too, “When it comes to our youth it is very important to give back, so first I am going to dig into my pocket a bit because when we have the opportunity to help less fortunate children, we should do so. If we can facilitate good schooling from primary age, what a flower this could blossom into.”
Brian McDonough takes care of the risk analyst, business development and insurance for the Global Students Development Foundation and told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “I am very privileged to be a part of this particular foundation, I am going to continue to work for this charity and I look forward to seeing the children aspire to goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”
The (GSDF) Global Students Development Foundation was started by Mr. Charles Peart, who grew up in a little village called Content in Jamaica with the intent of helping children achieve and excel in the educational department. Peart, who in 2013 single-handedly funded the building of Hill Top Early Childhood Learning Centre in Jamaica said, “My mother, the love of community, and the love of country is the inspiration and reason for me doing this. I would go back home with my kid and realize that there were no schools there for pre-kindergarten children. I have been blessed, and I believe in giving back to my roots.”
When the school was built, Peart made sure the students had a chance to: go on educational trips, have books, uniforms, lunch, and entertainment. He plans to build a basketball court on site also. After building the school, Peart said several of his Bay Street friends encouraged him to set up a foundation so that the project could sustain itself, and with the help of some of his well-connected friends on the island – like Empress Golden – plans are falling into place. This year’s meet and greet evening, which Peart promises to make an annual one, was all about inviting his community, and letting them know what his intentions are going forward. He wants to take this idea not just to one village, but on a national level throughout the Caribbean. His wife to be Gisele Lough shares the same ideas of wanting the best for all children, “I would like everyone who reads this story to realize that we really care; I would love for the children to have all the technology they need to be on the same level as Canadian children. That’s what all children deserve.”
Peart wears a few hats too from Entertainment Manager to Global Students Development Foundation founder, and when asked by Toronto Caribbean Newspaper what keeps him going, Peart said, “I split and prioritize my time, but the school is more my passion. My goal is to be educating and helping.” When it comes to working with like-minded people in the field of helping children, the (GSDF) founder said, “I welcome everyone and the more the merrier.”
Peart will be back in Jamaica on May 10th to kick off the children’s annual school cookout. One fantastic aspect of this initiative is that 100% of the donations given go to the schools and the children. The overall objective of GSDF is to initiate action and assistance from the Caribbean diaspora. Assistance can include donations, school supplies, and equipment to educate and empower the children to become role models and leaders in their communities.