Monday 16 November 2015

A FATHER'S LEGACY BRINGS JOY AND CHARITY TO GENERATIONS TO COME- THANKS SIR PHILIP SHERLOCK




Blog written by Ele Rickham and Leslie Wan 


The S.T.E.P. Centre has been lucky enough to have made a friend and a supporter through a most circuitous route and at the centre of that connection is the renowned late Sir Philip Sherlock who has blessed generations to come with charity and funding stretching back to his days on earth. Part of this months blog is written by our friend and supporter Ele Rickham who brought the work of Sir Philip back to our school, and the hearts of many a child learning to read, while providing us with funding for a storyteller over the summer session. I would say it is a tribute to this man, that his dedication, is still touching young lives, blessing and reminding all of his children of his legacy of service and devotion to education. Frankly I think there is not much greater gift a person can give than giving back to the education of children for generations to come.......Leslie 

Ele Rickham writes how she came to find our school.   
For many years I have worked with the Saint Ann's Junior Library. One of our regular young visitors was named Davia. Davia came every week. When I questioned her about her reading, she said she couldn't read, but her family read to her. So we set about to figure out how to teach Davia to read. Davia's favorite book was Anansi and the Alligator Eggs by Sir Philip Sherlock. When my late Aunt Hilda saw how quickly Davia picked up reading, she became committed to the concept that more had to be done to teach these children to read. Aunt Hilda offered up a donated sum of money to get the ball rolling and a decision was made to reprint that favorite book by Sir Philip. I set about getting permission from all parties I needed for reprints. Permission was granted by the late Annabella Proudlock (who had originally organized the book as a fundraiser many years ago), Susan Judah the original illustrator and then I only needed permission from Hilary Sherlock (Sir Philip's daughter) who heads up the Step Centre school, headquartered then at the St. Margaret's church hall on Old Hope Road, in Kingston.


Book available now for sale at the school -$1500 (Jamaican) for paperback and $2000 (Jamaican) for hardback. Support our school reading 
I set out to meet Hilary for her permission, but had never actually visited the school before. Hilary greeted me and after briefing her about the plan for Anansi and the Alligator Eggs to benefit the St. Ann’s Bay Junior Library, it made sense to include STEP as a fundraiser recipient in the donated funds. Hilary took me to meet the children, their teachers and assistants. I was struck by how neat, tidy and organized the surroundings and children were, and how busy everyone was.  There was a young volunteer working on the paper lined floor, assisting 2 or 3 children as they dipped their hands in paint and transferred hand prints to paper . A child in a wheelchair holding a long handled paintbrush was allowed the freedom to patiently apply the strokes to paper on an easel. We exchanged smiles. Another child in her chair was having a bit of physiotherapy, while yet another was in a mini standing frame, something I knew well. This world of therapy and physical challenges was familiar to me. My now 5’ 7” spinally injured daughter uses an adult stander to improve her circulation. Having spent 6 weeks at CIREN Children Unit (Centre for Neurological Rehab) in Havana, Cuba, the surroundings and routine were very familiar to me. At the age of 13 my daughter sustained an injury while swimming which left her spine damaged, and lower mobility impaired. At that time I was thrown into the world of special needs, a world I still find myself championing, even as my daughter has gone on to excel despite her challenges. I realize now that this meeting / project was no doubt one of those strange happenings when karma found a way to make a full circle at just the right moment in my life. My daughter is now a professional sailor on the Great Britain Paralympic team and won a bronze in the 2012 Paralympics and her next goal is the GOLD! Great things can happen despite challenges, a lesson this school strives to illuminate.  
Just a random happy day at the school. Happiness abounds!  
Some time later I took Hilary the proof copy of Anansi.  The Step Centre had moved to its own purpose built edifice with space to suit their needs.  A wide welcoming entrance hallway I call the children's personal Art Gallery, displayed two mounted mural sized pieces of artwork. One of them, the hand prints! The Step Centre motto "believing in one child means believing in all children" came to mind.  The literary fundraising idea was solidified! Reading, making the characters come alive via illustrations or story telling sessions was undoubtedly one way of expanding and stimulating the children. 
The Children's art of "Ananci and the Alligator Eggs"
And there it was...........I found a wonderful place where children thrive, a way to help them with much needed funds, while I help the library too. Further, a means for future generations to "live a legacy" again. The funds raised for the STEP Centre from the sale of our book during that time, funded a professional storyteller for the summer session of the school. She brought such joy and real drama to stories and even created a play for the many children to participate in. It was a joy to watch the children perform. Who knew when I set out to help the library with funds for literacy, I would also find a mission in this small school with a huge heart. I am told that this school hopes to have a lending library too one day, so that parents can read with their children to allow a bonding one on one between a parent and a child. Dreams have a way of becoming reality if circumstances align!...........Ele     

Hilary and our sweet teen selling our Christmas cards and books for the school at a fair. $100 per Xmas card - lots of choices ( see flyer at right) 
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We appreciate it - Courts Jamaica!!

Thank you to Courts Jamaica for providing us with the new refrigerator we desperately needed. Our children's lunches are safe and COLD again. A real need on our prior wish list. 
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Leslie's Motivational Corner this month....... 
Being who you are is not about being who you were yesterday, but who you hope to be tomorrow. Reaching for a goal is not about a grand plan for something huge and important, but about acknowledging that goals come in steps and that each step is closer to that goal. Celebrating the steps to the goal is part of the journey. As you think of any goal, think gratitude. Gratitude for where you are, gratitude that if you don't make it, you have had the insight to envision it and the hope to achieve it. We spend way too much time lamenting what we haven't been able to achieve and not enough celebrating the passion that created our vision.  Goals to consider: being healthy, being kind and being happy in a moment, because while moments are many, too few are acknowledged for their simple wonder. Gratefulness and thankfulness are goals in and of themselves. 
I am grateful you joined us in another month of sharing our blog.....Leslie Wan