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| Creating art is the best it can be. |
By: Hillary Sherlock - Director..........
Sometimes it is about what you are made of, sometimes it is
about fate or chance, and sometimes it is about the folks and friends you
meet along the way!
When Ann and Bambi faced the reality that there was no
appropriate school for their sons they did not wait – they acted and our school
was born. When it was obvious that if our
school was to develop additional funding would be required, our physiotherapist
and chairman set about to create our charity card venture. When it became only too apparent that we
desperately needed to move out of the church hall, our Chairman did not wait
for a new school to appear – she acted – scouring the “for sale” ads and
driving all over Kingston to find a suitable location. Each of these challenges was met by action to
ensure our survival.
The instances of our rescue from the everlastingly depleted
bank account are numerous. It is just the nature of what we do I suppose and
the “invisible” nature of our beloved children. We each have our own
explanation of how our rescues have come about. Some say it’s the laws of
attraction, others – it’s divine intervention, others – it’s the intervention
of a loved one who has passed, but still is looking out for us. Serendipitous
or fate or the kindness of people and organizations – we have survived. It
is as if our school in reflecting the struggle for survival faced by many of
our children, has developed survival DNA of our own. Certainly we must have assimilated some of
their determination and perseverance.
It has happened so often, unvoiced needs have been met by
unexpected gifts. There was the time in the early days when an English
Volunteer had a chance encounter at a camp site in the Scilly Isles out of
which a friendship of over twenty years with a group of UK Quakers has led to
donations, sponsorship of children and much more. Or what about the time when we were selling
Christmas Cards at a craft fair begin a
conversation with Suzanne Mahfood (a
talented dance teacher) who has since become our dance Aunty. Even a comment on
Mundo Grass and its potential to provide sensory feedback led to the
involvement of students from the Caribbean School of Architecture to inspire
our sensory garden/playground. Is that fate, is that our survivorship or is it
the blessing of folks you meet along the way?
All, I would say of it, our
will to not only survive but to thrive.
Every encounter hasn't always been positive, sometimes
offers have not been fulfilled, let downs are a part of any mission, and the
struggle to meet daily expenses continues.
However, it is impossible not to acknowledge connections, not to believe
in the power of people and it is easy to have faith that the mission we are on,
to save children who too many forget, is worth all the struggle of continuance.
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| Painting with our feet is fun! |
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| I love Everybody |
For each of you it is a reminder that even when the goal is
a tall one and the road constantly seems like a dead end, there is always a
clearing if you look hard enough. Always
someone or something to encounter to lead you past the tall obstacle and
restore your vision.
As always believe – we do!
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| Alligator eggs....... |
