A new investment by the provincial government will be felt in more than just New Brunswick. The province is contributing $200,000 over two years to a Saint John-based charity which helps high school students start businesses to raise money for children living in a Ugandan orphanage.

The funding will allow CHAT to the Future to hire a mentor, who'll work with high school students to kick-start their own ventures.

CHAT uses Skype to connect students from across North America to an orphanage in Kampala, Uganda.

The group says a mentor will make a difference.

"They will work directly with the teachers and the students to really go beyond the bake sale and really bring their business plans to life," said Adam McKim, CHAT's executive director.

Post-Secondary Education Minister Jody Carr says the charity's entrepreneurial side got the province's attention.

"CHAT to the Future gives the New Brunswick government the opportunity to provide young people entrepreneurial skills in school," he said. "That also gives them the opportunity to build their capacity to stay here in our province."

McKim says he looks forward to getting more high schools involved in the charity and build upon what's been the charity's best year yet.