FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT

The nonprofit charitable organisation,’Friends of the Care Project’ (FOTCP) began this project in 2012 with the aim of providing snacks and juice to the governmental institution ‘Care Project.’

It soon became apparent that more children within our wider community required intervention and that no such services were available to the financially vulnerable families.

With Early Intervention being of paramount importance to the FOTCP, a purpose built centre was established in May 2018 in order to reach those families with physically and mentally challenged children in need of assistance and support.

The CEO, Mrs. Annette Carey, MBE, of the charity FOTCP, worked tirelessly to reach out to kind potential donors who would consider supporting our efforts. With a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing sensory intensive interaction using the Ministry of Education’s school curriculum, breaking down the lesson plans to suit individual students level of understanding in support of their individualised education plans (I.E. P’s), progress has been achieved.

I am making an appeal to the captain/ yacht owners to consider either a monetary donation or to provide resource from our lists provided below, that helps the students attain a high level of sensory processing and thus enhance their learning experience. I am searching out returning yachts to the island of Antigua and Barbuda who may consider donating something towards the Friends Development Centre, that is currently facilitated by FOTCP

The Development Centre has experienced much progress over the years as children are stimulated and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. Children are learning to chew their food and swallow, while others have learnt to hold a spoon and feed themselves independently. Children have gained muscle strength, enabling them to make definite choices by reaching out, many are now able to sit independently, others to stand with support, whilst some children are learning to walk.

We are currently observing non-verbal children making verbal notations and gestures opening up two-way communications. Those that have learnt to talk are becoming more confident as their vocal tones increase in volume. Those children on the autism spectrum have been taught to modulate their moods and manage their behaviour in a positive manner.

We continue to stimulate our students to increase their learning abilities and improve their focus span. 

A short video showcases the extent of our efforts. Watch here. 

Although the government endorses the services we offer, no financial benefit is available from the government to the charity. However, the chief nursing officer along with the local clinics and paediatricians send referrals to our Outreach Program in order for the charity to assess, make recommendations and enrol the clients into the weekly service program, offering Occupational, Speech and Physiotherapy.

Many children who gain access to these services are requiring further early intervention that the daily program offers. However, we would need to expand the size of our existing building to accommodate them.

Plans have been drawn but we currently lack the funding.

The final third tier to the charities services offered is our outreach for the young adults’ program. Due to their age, these young adults have had to leave the mainstream special needs education setting and until being offered a place on our vocational training, they stayed at home, reportedly becoming more bombastic due to the lack of a stimulating schedule.

The young adults are currently being taught life skills; gardening, labouring with wood, care of rabbits, sailing and pan playing.

It is our wish to further expand this section introducing more life skills that shall enhance independent living along introducing cooking skills and encourage their socialisation. In order to improve this section of our charitable mission a kitchen and a bathroom are required. This would allow the young adults to cook what they have grown in the garden and provide an opportunity for female clients to have the same opportunity.

To my knowledge there is no other organisation that is offering these extensive services that The Friends of the Care Project provides.

It has been reported by parents that with the support from the charity (FOTCP), they are gaining knowledge in ‘best practices’ on how to best interact with their child and bringing a sense of hope that otherwise they would not experience.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

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