Tuesday 22 July 2014

SURVIVAL DNA


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.

Painting with our feet is fun! 
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!

Alligator eggs.......