“Everyone is there complaining… the young people, they’re this, they’re that, they’re not doing anything… but what are you doing? They are the investment. Our governments don’t see that. They see money as investment, but they are more than money.” Sister Antonia David, Holy Family Children’s Home Administrator.
Led by the 25-year-old philanthropist Anisa Schrader, the Anisa Schrader Charitable Fund (ASCF) has set forth ambitious plans for its future contributions. This commitment comes on the heels of a generous donation by Schrader and her team, who, with a heartfelt gift of $10,000 (EC$27,000), are supporting the Holy Family Children’s Home in their efforts to construct a permanent home for the facility, among other vital projects.
Schrader, who says she has been a giver all her life much thanks to her parents, sat down with Sister Antonia, the Administrator of the Children’s Home to find out more about its operations and their needs. When asked why she’d decided to donate to the Children’s Home, Schrader responded: ““I love kids. I always said if I were to give back, it would always start with kids. I believe children need a good foundation in order for them to grow, be successful and have better opportunities.”
During the small cheque presentation ceremony, it was hard to ignore the fact that Sister Antonia referred to the 17 children in her care at the Holy Family’s Child Home as, “my children”. Over and over during our interview she spoke fondly if the children — the ones who’ve gone through the Home in the past, and particularly the ones still in her care. As it turns out, the Children’s Home not only frequently cares for children well above the 10-year age limit stated on their website but also continues to support some of these children even after they leave the Home. In those cases, Sister Antonia and her team help the children in various ways, including with groceries and clothing for interviews and work attire as they transition into independence.
Meeting with Schrader last week, Sister Antonia shared what continues to fuel her passion for her job and helping children.
“When you see the change and the improvement in them, and you see them making their contribution, it just changes everything. That’s what you want. Everyone is there complaining… the young people, they’re this, they’re that, they’re not doing anything… but what are you doing? They are the investment. Our governments don’t see that. They see money as investment, but they are more than money. If you invest and take care of them, then we’re not going to have all the issues we have now. It is not their fault. No child should go through all what these children are going through. I tell people, adults, if we had to go through all of these things, we would not survive. The children find a way, and they rise above it.
She emphasized, “No child should be going through what these children go through. I had a happy childhood, and I want that for them.”
As we all sat in Sister Antonia’s office, which was filled on all sides with children’s supplies including food, toys, and school materials, it became evident that the Home was deeply committed to its mission. It was also apparent that the 17 children currently housed in their temporary Reduit location, including 10 toddlers, represented just a small fraction of the many children on the island in need of assistance.”
Sister Antonia confirmed this when she noted, “It’s sad to know that we cannot house them. When they call me and I cannot take them, I keep telling them, you need to take out, so that I can take in. If you just keep sending them, and you’re not finding placement for them, what can we do? I need to make sure that the children who are here, we can give them the time and attention. If you put too many then you’re wasting your time.”
Currently there are 10 staff members at the Children’s Home all on various shifts around the clock. Sister Antonia noted that her staff were “not the best paid because we’re depending on donations to pay them”, but they knew how to show love.
“That’s what we want,” she said.
Regarding the temporary residence housing the Home, a five-year period of free accommodation was generously provided by a compassionate family, which greatly alleviated the Home’s financial burden related to rent and other expenses. However, as the end of this five-year period approaches, administrators of the Children’s Home are actively working to secure a new location within the next year and a half. Sister Antonia was immensely grateful for the use of the location but mentioned some of the related constraints.
“Here we don’t have space to extend,” she observed. “We have 17 children in a house. The children need more space to run and play, and the rooms, we can’t take any more. We want to have four rooms in the new place, one for the babies, one for the toddlers, one for the older girls, and one for the older boys. In between there will be bedrooms for two adults to supervise them. We’re looking at a maximum of seven beds to each room.”
This weekend (Sunday, October 30th), the Holy Family Children’s Home will host a fundraiser brunch event to raise more money. Schrader expressed gratitude to be able to support the Home in achieving its objectives through her new organization, Anisa Schrader Charitable Funds. ASCF has ambitious plans for future donations and aims to collaborate on matching donations with individuals, businesses, and other establishments to maximize the benefits for recipients.
