All children should have access to the same educational resources, regardless of their economic status. Unfortunately, this is not the reality in Jamaica. Unlike the public school system in the United States, public school in Jamaica is not free. Students are financially responsible for school registration fees as well as their required reading books and workbooks for all subjects.

It is estimated that 45 percent of Jamaica's population lives in rural areas where the incident of poverty is about 28.5 percent. As a result, many of the country's poorest children are unable to afford to attend school.

Without the financial means to purchase text books and school supplies, children CAN NOT succeed academically. Without a solid academic education, children CAN NOT succeed in life. This is known as the Poverty Cycle.

Children for Change partners with rural schools in St. Ann Jamaica to provide the students with their required workbooks for the entire academic year. Every student, regardless of their academic performance or their financial means, will have the SAME access to the educational resources they need to excel academically. The hope is that one day these students will be able to use their educational foundation to create a better life for themselves and their family. This is every parent's dream for their child. We all want better lives for our children and without an education, the poverty cycle will continue.

Based on this year's workbook pricing, the average cost of books for the entire academic school year for children in grades K1-6th will be $50.00 US per student. This may not seem like a lot of money to many, however in rural farming communities where income depends solely on the weather, how well your harvest did and what you were able to sell at the market, this could easily represent a month's income for a family.

Please help us honor our commitment to providing equal access to educational resources, one rural school at a time!

Gift an Education 2023

By Children for Change Inc

Gift an Education 2023

Team Members