The Lynette Rampersad Give A Little, Help A Lot Foundation (LRF) wants to expand its reach by formalising its programmes and deepening its advocacy in the areas of cancer care and educational access.
Founded in 2007 and formally registered as a non-governmental organisation in 2011, the LRF was established in memory of former Tabaquite RC School principal Lynette Rampersad.
Rampersad, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, was a staunch Roman Catholic who lived the theological virtue of charity taught by the church. She was well known in her Tabaquite community for her generosity.
Her diagnosis changed the lives of her husband Kenneth and children Kathy, Kirk and Kerry, who experienced firsthand the financial, emotional, and psychological toll of the disease.
The Rampersad family turned their pain into purpose, initiating a movement which is now in its 17th year.
“Our mother’s journey opened our eyes to just how overwhelming life becomes for families dealing with illness,” said LRF director Kerry Rampersad.
“We wanted to honour her legacy by helping others facing similar struggles, especially when no one else would.”
What started as a personal tribute by a grieving family has evolved into a self-funded powerhouse of grassroots giving, impacting the lives of hundreds of citizens; especially children, who are grappling with illness, financial hardship and disaster.
The foundation has since distributed approximately $400,000 to those in need.
Beneficiaries have included Baby Hannah, who needed corrective surgery; Caitlyn Paige Innis, whose surgery abroad was made possible with funds raised from a charity cricket match; and the Hunt family, provided with housing.
In addition, ten students were provided with laptops to make their online schooling possible at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are dozens more: flood victims in Brasso, children at the Hope Centre and patients battling cancer and kidney failure who were otherwise out of options.
The aim is to build meaningful collaborations and partnerships that can sustain their impact for generations to come.
“Our mother believed in helping without hesitation,” said Kerry Rampersad.
“It was never about recognition, it was about doing what was right when it mattered most.
“Today, we’re committed to carrying that legacy to the next level. But to truly expand our impact, we need the support of those who share that same spirit of giving, a belief that giving a little to help a lot, as the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple of hope.”
Unlike many charitable organisations, the LRF is mostly self-funded. Its directors, along with kindhearted, dedicated volunteers, have sustained the work through grassroots initiatives: Carnival parties, cake and breakfast sales, donations, and even lunch drives.
In most cases, the directors have personally contributed from their own pockets when the need outweighed the funds raised.
This hands-on, all-heart model is rare in a landscape that is often driven by strategic partnerships and PR-backed sponsorships, but it also has its limitations.
“The truth is, we’ve never had sustained corporate or government support,” Rampersad explained.
“For years, we’ve quietly carried this mission on our backs, fuelled by passion, personal sacrifice, and the generosity of grassroots supporters. But with the economic challenges of recent years and the growing vulnerabilities in our communities, the need has surged far beyond what we can manage alone. The demand for help is now outpacing the resources we’ve been able to gather, and that’s a reality we can no longer ignore.”
Rampersad invited corporate entities seeking meaningful, high-impact CSR opportunities in 2025 to partner with LRF.
“We are an NGO with proven integrity, a transparent track record and deep ties to communities in need, especially those in underserved and rural areas like Tabaquite, Barrackpore, and Laventille,” he said.
“A partnership with LRF doesn’t just check a corporate social responsibility box, it offers real alignment with the values of empathy, equity, and community development.
“The foundation is particularly open to support for its recurring initiatives, such as its annual charity drive for children in need of healthcare, its back-to-school programme, and its emergency assistance fund. What’s missing isn’t passion, willpower or strategy, it’s scale. And that scale will only come with support.”
As the LRF steps into its next phase, its story serves as a reminder of what real charity looks like: quiet, consistent, and courageous.
To get in touch with the LRF email kerryrampersad@hotmail.com; kirkram@hotmail.com or call/WhatsApp: 1-868-687-5959 or 1-868-620-6355
For further information visit @lynetterampersadfoundation on Instagram and Facebook.