CHILDREN are the future. It is with this in mind that International Proxy Parents (IPP), a charitable organisation, has taken on the task of providing help to a number of Jamaica’s children in need.

Joy McHugh, president of the all-female group, said their goal is to continue the rich legacy of the 28-year-old entity, which, among other things, provides help to promising students who have difficulty paying for school-related fees at the primary and secondary levels. They also cater to the needs of numerous children in selected children’s homes across the Corporate Area and St Catherine, by providing financial help to upgrade the facilities and purchase medication, books, and equipment — in addition to providing special treats.

Currently, the organisation spends close to $1 million at 24 schools to help some 74 students annually and another $1 million or so on community projects at various children’s homes, according to McHugh. Most of the organisation’s funds are raised at its annual Christmas Bazaar and wine banquet.

Education is a major focus for the organisation and an area to which much of the IPP’s funds are dedicated.

“We try as best as we can to assist the students in the schools. We work through the guidance counsellors, who are closer to the children and will tell us which child is really in need and is having difficulties and can’t attend often enough,” noted Norma Anderson, chairperson for IPP’s education committee. “Although theoretically education is free, we find that children still have a lot of needs.”

The IPP also places emphasis on reaching out to children in homes, not only by providing financial assistance, but also by showing them love and affection.

“It is a real joy working with the children,” said Lisa Gordon, chairperson for the community projects committee, who enjoys reading to the children in such homes.

She added that the members usually visit the children on a weekly basis and share in a variety of activities with them. Those activities include not only reading, but also homework and teaching them how to better socialise with their peers. And as part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to foster child enrichment, about 100 children from the different homes are feted in the organisation’s annual children’s beach treat while another 100 are treated to plays during the IPP’s annual theatre night. The theatre night for this year was held on March 12 at the Little Theatre where about 120 children were taken to enjoy the showing of Pirate Jack, LTM’s national pantomime.

While the children from the homes are treated to these activities, students who benefit from IPP’s intervention are treated during the organisation’s annual students’ social where they interact with the members and are given inspirational talks to encourage them to be their best.

Over the years, the organisation has been successful in raising funds to carry out a number of different projects in the homes and at a few basic schools. Last year, Glenhope Nursery was able to transform one of its rooms which was being used to store goods, into a much needed sick bay after IPP bought them a storage container valued at over $100,000. Other projects completed last year included the distribution of 17 computers — donated by the European Union — to two basic schools, homes, a hostel as well as a non-government social organisation, and the refurbishing of a stimulation room at Best Care Children’s Home. A washing machine and books were also donated to the SOS Children’s Village.

This year, McHugh said IPP’s major project will be to complete the roofing at the Glenhope Nursery, where the children have a play area. At present, she said that it is uncomfortable for the children, as the sun bears down on them when they are playing and the heat becomes unbearable at times. As a result, the organisation, which has already tiled the area, is hoping to raise $2 million. They have so far raised just over $500,000.

Shirley Hannah, IPP’s public relations officer, said that they also intended to reconnect with past members of the organisation this year, with a view to establish international chapters. She said, too, that they were planning a membership drive to enrol male members.

“There are some good fathers out there, and we need to empower the men so that they will realise they are not just here as sperm donors,” Hannah said, adding that she also dreamed of launching a campaign in the children’s homes to empower the children to start believing in themselves.

The activities of IPP are managed by a annually elected 12-member board — nine elected and three appointed — which is headed by a president.