An unwavering quest to assist underprivileged children

Feb 23, 2014 News

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By Rehana Ahamad
She lived in an old wooden house in Craig, East Bank Demerara, and Onica Charles’s childhood was surely not a smooth tale. Her life story seems to mirror the image created by the hit rap song- “Started From the Bottom,’ by well-known Rapper, Drake.

Charles recalls countless instances of crying silently because of the fact that her peers at the Grove Primary School had, and in many cases, took for granted all the “comforts” that they had, like pocket money to spend during class breaks.
But this did not stop the 30-year-old from dreaming big. Although Charles has yet a far way to go, the young woman who is today, the holder of several academic degrees and the employer of over 40 people in the United States, has big plans, as she embarks on changing the lives of particularly Guyanese children.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the International Children’s Outreach (ICO), Charles, who already assist significantly in helping children in different parts of the world, is working on setting up a Child Care Centre here, which will assist underprivileged children with getting a proper education.
Born to Amanda Kumar and Augustus Charles, she believes that “Poverty can impact one’s education, and one’s education is one’s life. Children may not be able to change their financial state, and this will most likely affect their education, and once their education is affected, the child’s entire life is affected, so what I want to do is help families send their children to school”.
Charles told Kaieteur News that “I have plans to change the way children are educated in low income communities. They shouldn’t be subjected to subpar education because of their socioeconomic status. Every child deserves an equal opportunity and I plan on creating a bright path for children in Guyana.”
As such, the “Little Masters Centre,” as she plans to name it, will be a safe haven for children, who usually spend their spare time ‘hanging out’ on the streets.
“These children need an opportunity to do better and we understand that sometimes their parents’ financial situation might not allow them to further their education.”
As such, Charles said that “the community centre will be equipped with a computer lab, which students will have full access to do their home work and internet research, they will have a library with a cozy reading area, where they can enjoy reading a book. We will have a study room, where students can study without any outside distractions.”

Additionally, she noted that the centre, which will be funded by the International Children’s Outreach, will also provide free tutoring to children who need it.
“Not only that, but every day the centre will provide a hot meal for children within the community, because nutrition plays a vital role in our daily lives and without the proper nutrition children simply cannot focus on learning.”
Charles said the centre will have a basketball court and a playground so the children have additional activities to part take in.
“After all they need a well-balanced life. The community centre will be free for anyone who needs the service.”
The centre will be located on the lot that Charles grew up on. Construction will commence in March and is expected to be completed by December this year.
Recalling her childhood days, Charles stressed that “Life was not easy for family and I.”
The young woman explained that one of her family’s major struggles was getting basic necessities, “putting food on the table was surely no easy task”.
However, Charles reflected that she was lucky enough to have had parents who despite their obvious limitations, left no stone unturned in terms of development, and who always put their children’s education first.
“They spent their last dollar sending me to extra lessons just so I could get a better education. And I am thankful that they made that call.”
“You see, I’m not this rich girl who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth,” Charles pointed out.
“I’m a girl who would walk over a mile to collect water to bring home just so that we can have water to cook and drink, and for my mother to wash our clothes.”
Charles said that while growing up, girls were getting married at the age of 16 without even thinking twice about pursuing a proper education.
“Back then, I guess that’s what women were told to do, and that’s what they did.”
However, Charles had big aspirations, and she knew that a sound education was the key.
“I was no longer going to be what I was born into. I knew what I wanted and I was determined to get it.”
After completing her secondary education at St. Joseph High School, Charles migrated to the United States of America.
“That opportunity came like a light at the end of a dark, cold tunnel,” Charles recalled.
“When I got there, it was a breath of fresh air, and my plan was to take it all in.”
After her family settled, a determined Charles commenced another chapter of her academic life
“It finally happened for me, but still, I didn’t get to attend any Ivy League school like I had wanted to, because we could not have afforded it.”
Charles said that she managed to complete her tertiary education by taking one loan after the next, and today, she is the proud holder of several Bachelor’s Degrees from more than one University in the USA.
“I have degrees in International Relations, Sociology, Anthropology, Asian Studies, and a Masters in Public Administration.”
Charles went on to becoming employed with the US Government.
“The position was surely not handed to me; I did my time and struggled as an unpaid intern for over one year.”
Additionally, after a few years of working, the young woman used up all her savings to start a pre-school.
“I didn’t know how I was going to manage. All I knew is that I wanted to help, and make a difference in the lives of especially children…Eventually, I ended up opening my second pre-school, so I was very happy.”
“I won’t feel accomplished until the people I grew up with come out of poverty. That is why I started International Children’s Outreach (ICO), because it’s my duty to give back. This entity also helps children from all across the world, but the children’s centre is to help Guyanese children, because I can relate to many of the hardships.”

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