Stanley Betrian, director of the Foundation Antillean Co-financing Organization (AMFO), signed a contract today with the Dutch Quarter Community Council for their after school program. AMFO will sponsor the program that caters to sixty children for a total amount of Nafl. 421,428. This is the sixth contract AMFO signed in the last two weeks in St. Maarten

For the past three years, the Dutch Quarter Community Council has organized this after school program, which emphasizes academic achievement. Besides homework guidance, children get a nutritious lunch and take part in recreational activities like swimming lessons, dancing, and art & craft lessons. The goal is to improve the children's social skills and their attitude.

Program Director Morissia Nicholas, born and raised in Dutch Quarter, and her small dedicated staff maintain good contact with the nearby Dr. Martin Luther King School. The pass rate of the children that participate in the program and go to this school is very high. Also the parents are very content with the program.

This is the fourth after school program in St. Maarten to receive funding from AMFO. AMFO's main priority is to invest in the lives of children and youngsters from low-income families. The funding agency supports social programs and projects of non-governmental organizations through funding from the Dutch government.

Picture: Treasurer Christina Hodge (r) and AMFO-director Stanley Betrian sign the financing contract at the community centre.