CARING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
The Friends Foundation encompasses the Friends Outreach Program, The Friends of the Care Project, and the Friends Development Centre.
Friends of The Care Project is an independent Non-Profit Organisation founded to help improve the facilities at “The Care Project” and provide specialist therapy for its residents.
Friends Developmental Centre is a fully functional school facility for differently abled children of Antigua identified through our Friends Outreach Program or living at The Care Project. This is a unique facility in Antigua and indeed the Caribbean, providing a fantastic place to learn, be stimulated and make new friends.
The Care Project is a government facility, which provides a home and basic care for a number of children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Many have been abandoned by their families. It is currently housed in the pediatric ward at the old Holberton hospital. Most of the residents have never known a life outside the care project and sadly most are likely to live the rest of their lives in such care. Although the Care Project is primarily a home for children the ages of the residents range from 8-48.
The residents suffer from a range of illnesses and conditions including Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Hydrocephalus, blindness, seizures and many neurological diseases.
AIM
Friends of the Care Project’s sole aim is to help to provide a loving and caring nurturing environment for the residents at the Care Project.
Through fundraising efforts and raising awareness of this group of individuals we have been able to enhance their daily lives. Friends of the Care Project have funded specialist sensory teaching and physiotherapy sessions. These are on an individual and group basis. These services, taken for granted in most countries have had a tremendous impact on the children's lives with some children beginning to speak and communicate for the first time in their lives!
 Friends of the Care Project also arrange day trips for the residents. Until very recently these children had never been to the beach, swam in the sea or even been to a supermarket!
In addition to establishing and maintaining specialist therapy at The Care Project, Friends of The Care Project’s current fundraising aim is to build new premises for the residents, moving them from a deteriorating hospital typesetting to a home-like residence designed to cater specifically for their specialized needs.
Can you help Friends of The Care Project?
Friends of the Care Project are always looking for volunteers to help out in many different ways. Whether it's taking children outside for a walk in the grounds of the hospital, fundraising, or helping out with our sensory sessions. If you have the time to help and want to volunteer please contact us.
|
