Grateful for all the volunteers who come to us..........

By Leslie Wan 

We have been lucky this semester to have two volunteers who came to us from the University of Technology Dental Hygiene Program. As part of the University of Technology attendance, they have community service hours (40, I believe) to perform along with their program. Thanks to the University of Technology who have included community service as a requisite in their academic program! Your vision in including community service is meaningful in so many ways. We and others are ever grateful for that vision and focus in your program. You understand that students need all kinds of teaching. Your students come expecting to give, and yet receive so much more in return.

ON THAT NOTE.....we are approaching our one year anniversary of the blog. We value our readers and we want to hear what you have to say about it. How do you like it or what would you change,what would you like to know about us, what would you like to see in future blogs, have we had any impact on how you perceive disabilities,  do you share it? . ALL feedback is greatly appreciated because in our world............ if you care, you listen and you learn. 

In my acknowledgement that we always need to check how we are perceived by others, I sat down with our recent volunteers, and asked a few questions on their time spent with is.  I also always feel that if you come to us, you have a voice to use and a story to tell.

Harvel and Cherryl in their Easter Day "Tooth" Finery

Harvel Wedderburn

When asked by his program coordinator where he would like to do his service, he looked at the list and chose us. He felt that it would be a wonderful opportunity to explore working  with children with challenges.  He knew his work as a hygienist would include all kinds of children.This he felt would serve as a great opportunity for him to understand how to approach those who need extra patience and understanding, and  would platform across all kinds of folks including the elderly and rural. He shared with me that he was blessed with a relative that had had challenges, and sadly passed on. During that relative's life he had not had much opportunity to spend time with him, due to distance and accessibility issues.  He felt this would be a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to that relative.  

I asked him what coming to the Step Centre had meant for him and what he had learned in his time with us. He said he felt being with us was extremely rewarding and a real eye opener.It made him realize how short attention spans can be with children, and more so with children with challenges. He also realized that much of this work requires so much patience and he was in awe of our staff who do this weekly and sooooo kindly. Harvel felt it gave him a better understanding about how to greet young children and expanded his ability to be creative and put children at ease. He realized that reward is as important to our children as it is to any child and that approaching them with a very calm nature would garner the best results. He worked with different  approaches with children like wearing silly whiskers and other diversions, that made them feel as if he was not out to harm them, but understand their feelings. He and his colleague among some of their activities did a skit / program with a big funny mouth and toothbrushes, hats and much fun. He found his time with STEP immensely rewarding professionally and personally. He felt he had made the right choice not only for career enhancement, but for the time he spent with our children re-exploring his heart.

Cherryl  St.  Cyr 

Cherryl came to us from the same program and has been studying here from the lovely island of St Lucia. She acknowledged that she had previously worked on programs with small children, but had never worked with children with challenges as our school does. When it came time to select her community service project, she never hesitated about her choice.  She came to the school not knowing what to expect and worried she would find sadness and institutional-ism. In reality she found the dynamic opposite.  As time moved on with us she realized miracles were happening inside herself, and that these children and this school, had given her an immense gift. So many hours she had spent in pursuit of her degree, slogging through all the requirements, doing homework and responsibilities of acquiring the degree with knowledge and skills to finish and be good at what she had chosen as a career path.  She had found her studies had made her exhausted and self-centered and lacking in joy. Her resolve in her career choice was not affected, but the joy in her life was totally lacking. Study, accomplish, get ready and on to the next task - day in and day out.

What did Cherryl find at STEP. She found herself again!  She found her heart again she says, and with a renewed purpose of what she can bring to help people. This feeling had gotten covered up with all the school work that left her wondering what it was all for in the end. She still had the goal in sight of her dental work, but with an understanding that there were people behind her goal, and that this time had given her an understanding of how to be truly engaged in her job. Cherryl was surprised to find so much spirit and so much joy in our children. We stopped for a moment as she wiped tears of happiness and sincerity from her eyes, (as did this writer ) that came with  the depth of her emotions and the highs of her enthusiasm for STEP.  She went home at night, spoke with her family via phone or skype in St Lucia, and regaled her husband and daughter in the wonderful STEP moments of the day. Her daughter began to ask her about the wonderful things that ________ (insert child's name) had done that day, if that child had been happy, felt better, read well etc. She realized that she had brought her entire family on this journey and they were as enthused about the happiness she had rediscovered in the faces of our children. Cherryl was keen to say that she knows we could use more staff and resources, but she never once felt that our staff did not engage our children. She and Harvel, had days of singing, hours of reading, moments of clarity and a better understanding of how to be more sensitive to children, more observant in reading the signs in their faces, and the ability to understand non-verbal communication better. Cherryl  will return to her native St. Lucia and plans to continue volunteering with children with disabilities, and use it as a bonding time with her daughter.

Harvel and Cherryl we appreciate your time with us, and the feedback you have given us on the school. We acknowledge here that there have been other students from the same program who we have appreciated just as much for their service time to the school. These are but the two I was able to speak with, but others just as wonderful have graced our school from this program and STILL come back to visit us today. Thank you to ALL OF YOU from our past, our present and those to come!

My own journey of volunteerism with STEP Centre began 12 years ago as another means of spending compassionate quality time with my child. I wanted to show her that what you give to others is so much more rewarding than what you get from others, and what she would learn about the world, is

that diversity and the acceptance of same, becomes a celebration as it morphs out into those you touch along the way. She has gone out into the distant world now, but her mother happily remains here with STEP Centre all these wonderful years later.

We have once again changed perceptions by simply allowing folks to share time with our children. Our approach and sense of purpose is right, even if our tangible needs are always abit lacking in resources. We hope these two volunteers and the others will take with them the lesson of patience and perseverance and the will to make a difference in the lives of all kinds of people.  As always I am surprised (yes still surprised) that our children teach people so much by just being who the Lord has made them and shining their special lights on the lives of those they touch.  Every one of us has something to truly give of ourselves if we take the time to see with our heart. It really isn't hard in the end because our children (all special children) can show you that by simply being who they are and greeting you with all the happiness they have to give. 

  

COME VISIT US.............YOU DESERVE YOUR OWN MOMENTS OF REFLECTION THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR CHILDREN. 

Thank you to Wendy Lee of Seven Oaks Wildlife Sanctuary and Judy MacMillan, Renowned artist, for sharing Earth Day Activities with our children. Seven Oaks is the recipient of our "Friday Penny Collection" Funds  

Our children are always taught they have a responsibility to the earth and the world they live in, and we reinforce it through our gardening program, recycling program and up-cycling 

initiatives. 

Judy, Hillary and Wendy with the children's gifts and herbs from our garden

Judy loved our school and said she had the loveliest morning sharing our children and wants to paint with them next. 

Wendy works with the children and they laughed! 

Up-cycling planters made by the children

WALK WITH ME ON A REGULAR S.T.E.P. CENTRE DAY

Blog Written by Leslie Wan......

Our Proud STEP School 

Every once in awhile I try to experience the school as a visitor would. It seems important at times to visualize the school as a school with children and teachers that are just doing their "daily day". I can't exactly do that because they all know me, but I do try sometimes. So, having been away for a few weeks with responsibilities that kept me hopelessly diverted , I thought  this was the time!  (Perhaps a synopsis of a couple of times here actually for the purpose of the blog)

Welcome to S.T.E.P. 

I came to the door and was greeted by the ever cheerful Dana, who in the world of STEP Centre, is our worker bee behind the scenes. Dana doesn't get much notoriety, but by golly she keeps the place going. What does Dana do? She does everything you can imagine in reference to an office. She answers phones, she sources material for studies, she does spreadsheets and sales work ups for our card sale and our fundraisers, she follows up on orders, she knows where most everything needed is, she follows up on grants and requests, takes pictures for our needs and history, and keeps all our supplies on hand. And more and more....Despite all that she is required to do, she knows all the children and mostly what their challenges are and everything she does is with CHEER! As the school has grown, so have her responsibilities and yet she rises to the challenge. So there you go, I was greeted with efficiency and good humor and a thoughtful synopsis of what I had missed while away. The first recognition of my eyes wide open visit was Dana, the cheerful gatekeeper of all things STEP Centre.  Dana - you support the earth in which we plant our seeds of  growth and vision!! ( In my mind's eye, I can see the humble shy Dana being proud, but blushing after reading this.)

Working in the sand

I wandered off to the heart of the school, classes and work time were in session. Our school is segmented in time slots, just as most schools are, although what happens and at what time, differs by the age and abilities of the children. One child was being coaxed into touching and manipulating something that was strange to her. No not really strange, just that in her world we were pushing her boundaries of ordinary and it was a new ordinary for her.  New things for our students are often met with distaste and tears. (Not unlike many normal children actually I guess ) If you have never had your hand in wet sand or experienced the feel of wet noodles, it is a new sensory overload and feared until appreciated. Our teachers (like most mothers and fathers) are well aware of the differences in tears and crying. There are tears of fear and pain, I don't like it so don't make me do it tears, the child is pulling our leg tears (fake tears), the why can't I have that or do what I want to do tears, and finally I want all your attention tears. I watched a new(ish) student experience a sensation that is unusual to her and she was expressing herself tearfully despite the benefit of the exercise. She was being offered opportunities she needed to learn and understand, but new isn't always easy.  Ah but her times they are a changin' and her world is incrementally expanding this day, in this way. 

One day I will read

Further forward I go and counting papers are in front of students and books are being read by students who are not only reading, but working on speech learning.  "Watch my lips" says the teacher to one student.  "Look at the page, follow my finger and you can do it. No .....sound it out............You know the word but let's repeat how it sounds."  That is the work with one of our older students. I have known this particular student all the years that I have been coming to  STEP CENTRE and what a progression it has been. She is bright, she is articulate( in her own special way) and she is eager  to achieve, despite the challenges her body makes her endure.  She knows me well, so I stood behind her wheelchair. Only the teacher knew I was listening. Right on target she spoke the book without prompting and did it with few corrections. Where she has come, from my early first days with STEP CENTRE is MAGIC!  She has become a teen that loves all things teen, her clothes and the occasional lipstick that she gets to sneak. She is fully cognizant of her differences, but she works with her intelligent brain and she loves to SING!  Just like all girls her age she likes to be complimented and she laughs with good hearty laughs, makes jokes and sometimes is very lazy. (Oh the teen years) But with all her challenges, she always asks how YOU are and MEANS it! In short she is like all teens with a few more challenges, but with the heart of a lion. So there I see it, the little child I knew back then, has become a teen, and how far she has come in her speech and her work. It was a moment for me............. a true moment of reflection of what time and attention and perseverance comes  from a child and a school, when parameters of normality are put aside. 

Wait, where did that lipstick come from? 

On I walk to a young man doing his math work and at times working at the keyboard. The acquisition of some technology has allowed for all kinds of creative work to happen in our children. I know from experience that this young man won't be deterred when I approach him. In fact, I get an impression of a little glint in his eye, as if he wants me to see how well he is doing his work. Yes he really is doing well and takes pride in the way he maneuvers the keyboard, answers his problems and focuses on the tasks at hand. He too is growing up before my eyes, voice changed and mind blowing improvements in his academic pursuits. He embraces academics, is curious and determined, and takes immense pride in what he does. Yes among his pride is our garden. He has become  leader! My lesson here -What we can see when we put aside what we take for granted. A HUGE lesson in awareness without perceptions.  

Therapy /Stretch/Mat time

Off I go to peek my head into a couple of classrooms. Hillary sits with two students who have worksheets in front of them and they are being asked to count the items in sections and only color some of those items. In effect they must recognize how many are in that section but then they must count them and distinguish by only coloring the portion of the exact amount she wants from the group. They must then color neatly, that particular requested amount. So they need to be precise and they need to practice dexterity and they must follow orders. Along the way they need to sit still, focus and compete. Yes, they do compete with each other in subtle ways just as all students do. Both seem to want the pink pencil, the same pink pencil, but that is just the lesson learned from sharing and competition. One of the students is new to this school year, and came with so much to overcome in regard to being too forceful, attention seeking, loud and occasionally hitting. You see, he didn't come from a loving organized parental home but the school is giving him direction, correction, a sense of communal purpose as well as teaching him that manners and cooperation are necessary in the world. He has a ways to go surely, but once again I see with "new" eyes what the change and this environment has meant to him. Oh and just to interject here...........One of today's lessons involved, greeting Auntie by name and saying welcome and good to see you. Manners matter, no matter who you are or where you started out.  A lesson ALL school children need to learn.

Finally a quick stop in another classroom of younger students who are also working on papers and a teacher is holding one child's eye with a wet cold rag because someone stuck their finger in her eye. It wasn't intentional, it wasn't permanent, but accidents happen with eager children who don't always have full control of their movements.  My take away lesson from this, a child had a need, a teacher recognized the need for comfort and minimal first aid and she was attended to. The child wasn't crying, she recognized they were helping her, she appreciated the momentary extra attention and freedom from schoolwork, and she wasn't mad at her peers it seems. She has a heart, she understands her peers are "special" and when the stinging stops, she will go back to whatever is next on the school agenda. (Lunch is around the corner after all so why be unhappy they think)

Lunch,lunch,lunch 

What does all this tell us - take a walk in another person's shoes. Stop and

make the time to SEE - REALLY SEE what has been in front of you all along. Share in the good work our school is doing with children who only appear different on the outside, but are just the same on the inside.  It has been a pleasure to give you a view of our day. We are a school with a sincere desire to help children where they are, where they have come from-
 BUT,  are  to become who and where they need to GO! 

A moment for you
As always we end our post with something for you in your life. When you have a

moment ( MAKE A MOMENT AT A SAFE TIME TO DO SO) and close your eyes.

First- listen to the sounds around you. Phones are ringing, TV is talking, people are speaking, rain is falling. All kinds of things are happening around you. Now as you close your eyes, breathe deeply and quietly and just listen and feel.

The chair is scratchy or the smell is ........... but at that moment you are present - really present. No don't open them yet until you have really focused in on THAT moment -that moment without sight.  Now open your eyes, but with real vision for THAT moment. Not -what is next on your agenda or what is next to disturb your peace or what news is the latest and worst, but that moment have vision of exactly what you see. Am I being a little new age here -YOU BETCHA. But that is what we need to do occasionally for the fog of history and expectation to lift, and for you to have real vision of what you have missed. My visit was just an extension of that and what I took from those moments can never be erased. I brought you along with me today on my wide eyes view. Yes, life gets busy. We all have to move along and do what needs to be done, but for that moment of reflection, you saw something you needed to see ...............Really see........

Bless up

Leslie Wan.....................

International Reading Day
A special visitor joined us to read to the children..........
Thank you Jan Harmon..........The children LOVED it!!! What a way to brighten their day. 

                                                        

                         

Of Therapists, Teachers and Sharing the Love of our Children

Written by Leslie Wan

Our school was recently blessed with a visit from three therapists (occupational and speech) who came via an organization called Therapy Missions. Therapy Missions folks travel across the world and share their knowledge and expertise in teaching schools, orphanages etc., new or expanding methods of reaching and engaging persons with disabilities and challenges. It was wonderful to have them with us, and they spent time working with different children, instructing our staff and also meeting with some of our children's parents to give them pointers and thoughts on how to benefit and propel their children forward.  I might add that each of our visitors financed their visit with their OWN money, on their OWN vacation from their jobs in the states. Thus for them, it becomes a true mission of compassion, instruction, sharing, and, with personal sacrifices for the love of our children.  

  

I enjoyed watching them and listening to them in their discussions with the children and parents and noted the ways they found to engage our children. I spent some time talking to them individually and in a  group about their thoughts on the school and the children we /they serve, and a little about how it compares with the jobs and folks they work with back home. Randy Fedoruk, Lourdes Hawkins, and Stacey Lehrer are bright and dedicated professionals who enjoyed their  time here as much as we enjoyed having them.  They were not phased a bit as they were smeared with cornmeal mush during sensory touch time, and  still worked tirelessly to assess and make connections with students in new and  creative ways.  Their enthusiasm for their occupation and assisting with children was very infectious. God bless them!

Randy

Lourdes

Stacey

Here are some take away thoughts from them on their time with us. In the interest of space, I am combining them into one, but rest assured they added to each other's answers in a way I found quite cooperative, communal minded and delightful. 

About our students and their time at the school.............

They found the children adorable and were surprised at how many strengths the children had despite their challenges.  They were amazed at how in tune each of our teachers were to each of the children and their individual challenges and capabilities, and that teachers individually engaged them at the level they were at and in the manner the child relates best to. While they were here to do some "teaching to the teachers" in new and creative engagement, they felt they had equally learned from our teachers in ways to assist in a less tech savvy and particularly resourceful ways.  All three  really enjoyed meeting with the children's parents and found them  open to suggestions of new ways to make breakthroughs and connections with their children. In some cases they had to be particularly firm with parents on being consistent and forthright with their children, which is hard to do when as a parent your time is limited and your resources even more limited.  But parents agreed, and promised to be more consistent because they know it is in their child's best interest. They felt the school was phenomenal and they saw so much opportunity for it to grow bigger and stronger if given more resources. Welcoming was how they described the school, it's people and the folks they had met in all the other journeys they took across Kingston.  Each volunteer comes from a location with far better resources, tech savvy and otherwise, but  were clearly amazed that our school does so much with so little and have found so many ways to stimulate, engage, amuse and motivate our kids with so much less. Across the board they enjoyed it immensely.  

Important resources lacking

Lamenting by their team that much was needed in basic but important equipment for the kids, they had hopes that this could somehow be accomplished some day. Acknowledging that children grow, children come and go at various sizes and ages, and nothing about education and it's children is static, it was noted that so much was needed at the school to physically position the children into learning postures. Specifically mentioned were more size appropriate chairs with attached lap trays (and safety strapped) chairs that have equipment that would hold a head in an upright and front focused position, as well as size consistent wheel chairs. Many of our children have little personal neck control, and helpful would be the school chair that would hold the head in a position to actually see the story being read, or the task to be focused on.  Ah yes but then there is the reality of finding the extra funding that is hard to get sometimes. I sighed and said that disability ready chairs and tables were on our wish list and we acknowledged that it takes proper positioning of the head and body for children to allow them be able to SEE and participate in what we want to teach. So there we go, outside professionals acknowledging our overriding and long standing wish list items.. Each showed us wonderful new and exciting things that could be done with more technology like Ipad learning, and very specific methods of the order in which you combine methods of communication and teaching between technology and standard communication methods. Yep order of methodology is important as you might imagine.

All I do is approach them and their smiles are rejoicing. Happy Place..

OUR TAKE AWAYS 
Besides the obvious learning and sharing that took place having the folks here, what did we take away from their week here? Our teachers, parents and staff, all got reminded of their important and determined roles in the lives of these children. This visit empowered them to empower our children and re-invigorated our parents and teachers. We learned that we are creative and resourceful despite our limited resources. They reminded us why we care so much and emphasized how our children have so many capabilities despite their limitations. They saw the spark in our students and the devotion that comes from being a teacher and facilitator to our students and any students in schools like ours. It is wonderful to have some fresh faces celebrate our students, and to for them to have brought energy and dynamic learning to us in so many ways. And that is but a fraction.....

Lourdes teaches Hillary new tricks...

Randy and the drum- sound, movement, strength training

                    









THANK YOU to Therapy Missions for organizing the opportunity for them to come here. 

We THANK Randy Fedoruk, Stacey Lehrer, and Lourdes Hawkins for their energy, their commitment, their time and their willingness to share and care with us, and in turn we hope to be able to share it to the wider Jamaican special needs community. As always our mission at the school is to share knowledge with the wider Jamaican community for the benefit of other challenged youngsters and their teachers. 

We welcome these folks back anytime or any Therapy Missions because as we have always said, once you find us, you never leave us. This blog has become so many things, but thanking folks and sharing blessings is certainly two of them. Big clap for these dedicated folks and Mission Therapies. Big clap to our children and staff who made them feel at home and appreciated.

Our Movie Fundraiser - BIG THANK YOU 

Last week we had a fundraiser for the school which was a movie premiere night. We say special thanks to people who supported us. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets in support of our school and our children. Well attended and even more appreciated by us. Thank you to "Uncorked" (and Debra Valentine) for supplying some lovely wine on the evening as we waited for the movie to begin. If you haven't been to Uncorked in Barbican, try it..........Yummy things there to eat and drink. Thank you to Catherine's Peak who supplied us with bottled water on the evening. Staying hydrated is always important in Jamrock! Both of these companies have been so good to us and we never take it for granted!

Thank you to so many at the movie and last week who told us how much they have enjoyed the blog and that it is making an impact in many ways and giving a voice to the sometimes voiceless ones at our school and beyond. It is about us: it is for you and that makes it about "WE".

OUR
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS ARE FOR YOU!

You are tired of saying the same thing. Are they ever really listening? Why am I never getting through to the folks I need to understand me. SURE YOU WILL!

Change the way you give the message. Be open to what the feedback is. Be confident, but respectful and remember that those getting your message will hear you if you speak their language! 

Be grateful you can use words and remember everyone can learn a lesson if you speak it in a way they can receive it.............

Just saying from a school that "speaks" in many many ways....  
  

  

          



              

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS - CHANGING LIVES....

                              (photo courtesy of photographer Cynthia Stroo)  

This post is contributed by a fellow writer and devoted friend of STEP Centre, Jamie Wrench. Jamie's post serves as a reminder that chance encounters can transform you and that once you find STEP Centre( and our children) you stay with us in the best way possible, and in the best place possible, your heart.

In honor of Jamie's post, our photos are photos of our joy across the years.  Thanks Jamie, for your devotion and your post.....  

                             Blog formatted by Leslie Wan
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In Jamie's Word..........

In the beginning was the washroom, and the washroom was on a campsite, and the camp site was on a tiny island off the south - west tip of England; and it was there, early one morning, as my wife Jane began the day, that she met Jane Peacock, who was cleaning the washroom; and they got talking…

Jane was a young graduate from England who had gone to Jamaica (despite the advice of the authorities, who thought it was too dangerous at the time) to work as a volunteer at the STEP Centre in St Margaret’s Church Hall in Liguanea.  At the end of her year she had returned home to St Agnes, one of the Isles of Scilly (the first you see of UK when you travel from America), and was working as hard as she could to raise enough money to get back to Jamaica; serving in the pub, valeting the holiday chalets, cleaning the toilets on the camp site, bending the ear of anyone who would listen about this little school for special children in Kingston that had love, laughter and… NOTHING.

Memories of yesteryear and the old school 

JAMAICA DAYS      

My Quaker meeting decided to send a donation of £400 to STEP.  We didn't know it at the time, but it was the first external donation STEP Centre had ever received, and it was used to sponsor Renee, a child who otherwise would not have been able to attend.  As the years went by, some really extraordinary things happened.  One of my friends was a ballet examiner and would you believe it, was sent out to Kingston to examine ballet students, among them the daughter of the founder of the STEP Centre, Ann Chong.  She and her husband visited STEP, met Renee and everyone else, and were just bowled over.  I wrote about it in 1999, and people sent money to my Quaker Meeting.  So I wrote a bit more – and they sent more money.  Then another of my friends said she’d like to go and do something useful before she settled down and had babies, and as it was too difficult for her to go to Kosovo, so we sent her to Jamaica, and she introduced not just STEP but all Jamaica to Music Therapy.  And she wrote about that, and people sent money. I ended up coming out, and writing about that, and people sent more money.  You just tell the story, and people respond.

In 1999 I wrote these words:

“…we shall go on supporting Renee for as long as we can, not because she is the most deserving child in the world, not because we feel Jamaica is the most needy country, Kingston the most deserving town or the STEP Centre the most worthy institution that exists.  It is simply that as a result of an extraordinary series of chances we have become inextricably linked…”

It takes a team...

…And here we are, twenty years later, still in touch, still inextricably linked.  What are the chances of that happening?  It is almost unbelievable that STEP survived; more remarkable still that it has prospered.  Even more unbelievably, I've been to see you – twice –and we’re still collecting the odd pound or two to convert to Jamaican to keep you lovely people in paint, or sparkly things, or feely stuff, or Marmite.

Easter Hat Parade

It’s almost exactly eleven years since I first visited.  I’d never been across the Atlantic before, and the first thing that struck me (after the applause when the plane landed) was the heat.  I was to learn that it was a cold, cold, cold month apparently, but let me tell you for me it was hot hot hot!

The second thing that struck me was a child named Monique.  She took charge of me straight away.  I had brought a suitcase full of goodies and Monique took hold of two drums, gave me one and ordered me to sit down and play them with her.  You don’t argue with Monique, at least you didn't then. 

Jamie and his drums...

Then came Valentine’s day, and we all had to wear red.  Junetta dashed off to the market and came back with a red T-shirt for me and I felt very much at home. 

All these years later, I still feel very close to all of you, even though most of the children I knew have moved on (some, sadly, heavenwards), but we now have the internet, Skype, Facebook; website and now your wonderful blog here; we can keep in touch as easily as if you were next door.  We don’t contact each other much, but when you’re friends you don’t have to. Those times I remember fondly, those children I celebrate always, and a school that stays with me because of the spirit and passion for the children they serve. 

Have a lovely year everyone. I’ll be thinking of you

Love,

Jamie
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Make  friends / hold them dear 

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

                                      Written By Leslie Wan 

                       

Another year has begun. We usher in 2015 and wave silently but gratefully back at 2014. While this is the blog of a journey of a lovely school for challenged children, we are ever aware that those who read our blog are equally important and have challenges too . Innumerable challenges face us every week and yet we push through them to wherever the road leads us. Most of us start a year and think "X" is my goal for the New Year or the resolution we commit to is _________. At the end of the year, we hesitate to think of whether we accomplished (or even remembered) what last year's resolution was, because if we do, we probably will be disappointed with our feeble attempt . But here is the take away lesson from that reflection. It doesn't really matter how much of that resolution you accomplished, if you learned something along the journey. Many times, your goal was a "set up" anyway because it was unrealistic considering your life and energies. But, from these reflections came time for YOU to simply sit and think about YOURSELF and what is workable and reasonable for YOU to expect. Sometimes where you ended up was really where you were meant to be, and yet it was a blessing to set your goal higher and better for you to learn acceptance of yourself and your abilities.

REACHING HIGHER

Every year (often times more than once) we set goals for our children at the school and many times those goals are higher than their present abilities. At the end of that period when we sit back and reflect, we realize that we need to celebrate the moments along the way that actually were part of the goals we set for them, even when the outcome was less than our expectations. Did a certain child become less aggressive?  Did the acquisition of a new laptop and time for a student to use it, make us realize that her or he, had far more dexterity and is far more focused than we thought? We found the KEY to make them focus (even if they aren't quite as dexterous as we resolved.) The point is we celebrate where the student is now, because it is somewhere better than they were last year.Children with challenges have goals that may be measured in mere steps, but when accomplished, leads to the beginning of a journey of exploration for their future. This often is the integral equation left out of your reflection. No doubt your year was an exploration of your spirit with stops along the way even if your path diverted abit. 

Hillary teaching outside on a beautiful day.  

Some years back, I set a goal which I called "The year of living kindly". I think I generally live my life in a kind fashion but this was a year to do an extra push for kindness moments. Simple things, telling the supermarket cashier what a lovely hair clip is in her hair, or making a point when I saw a friend to ask that person about a  person important to them. It meant really LISTENING  and acknowledging their feelings, without interjecting my views or solutions. It meant looking around at people and thinking how hard their life is in comparison to mine. The offshoot of this was that I got better service and people felt more comfortable and special around me. My REAL accomplishment was much more. I saw my perceptions and gratitude elevated. Was I a kinder person, not really sure, but I am certainly sure I was a more perceptive, compassionate and grateful person, and THAT was the lesson I was meant to learn anyway. 

With the start of another year you have choices you can make, each of you . You can choose to feel tired, or angry at the hand dealt you, or sick of your job, or a "victim" of something, OR, you can adapt that mindset to the control you actually DO have in the life and the happiness you make for yourself. Sometimes it is as simple as acting like the person you wish to be and watching what flows back from that. For example, you don't feel happy or feel like smiling, but you do it anyway. Even though it may seem contrived, the warmth or response that is returned, make it a happier moment in true fact. You can choose to only do what is expected of you or you can decide that by putting in that extra bit of energy in, you may actually learn something new or find the reward you never expected.

You will never reach the cool of the sea till you make the effort to move past the rocks ahead.

Above all you can accept that you are part of a team in the many areas of your life (family, work, church etc) and that your team is stronger than you think. You can place yourself in the team spirit and make gratitude another member of that team.
 

Here is a fact.............. You are special because there is only one of you. You can take that special self, no matter the challenges you face, and let it be visible to others. 

So as we begin 2015, I / we wish for our readers and supporters a wonderful, grateful and living kindly year (make the effort, you WILL be surprised). Make the concept of gratitude a true dimension of this year. Ask more of yourself than you think you can do, with the understanding that if you aren't successful, it isn't a failure, but a lesson in the journey to the goal. Make the effort to consider those less fortunate or challenged and put aside pity, for a better celebration of their struggle and how they are working to overcome. Recognize that all the many types of diversities (including the physically challenged ones) among the people of this earth, just make the hearty stew of our lives richer.  

SMILE WITH THE PROMISE OF EACH NEW DAY   

From our little school to you, our special friends, we bless you and thank you and invite you to visit and see what miracles can happen even in the most difficult of circumstances. Come view the smiles on faces of children who often have less to smile about but yet smile everyday. 

Bless up and God speed in 2015---Leslie Wan  

   

                  

    

Christmas is coming

The Season of art 

                               

Christmas at school is always a very special time.  It provides an opportunity to leave everyday routines behind and just have fun.  The spirit of fun and joy infuses everything and is rooted in the joy of the season itself. The question becomes , how do we translate this for the children, and how do we make this a special time which reflects our love for each other.

As we hit the first of November we allow ourselves to dust off the Christmas music and get it going in the morning.  Having broken out the Christmas songs, we can get started on the decorations and planning the performance for the Christmas Party.  This year we have decided to return to a more traditional nativity play after a couple of years of rather raucous Jamaican grand markets and jonkonoo happenings.  Our celebration always finishes with Santa, and this year, as always, our children have been “nice”, so there will be something in Santa's bag for each one of them (thanks to the “Dad” who has become our Santa Helper. )

Santa arrives last year

It is sweet to see the children's faces light up when Santa arrives with his elves. He bends down to each wheelchair or chair and hands each one something special.  Our volunteers, who bring so much to our school, arrive in the Christmas spirit in November to begin the celebratory work.  Marcia Thwaites (aka Grandma) takes charge as producer and choir master . The children become very excited each time Grandma Thwaites arrives because it means no matter their ability to sing, their attempts are celebrated  and there will be fun days of practices ahead.  For Grandma, they will work tirelessly and joyfully to make their "voices" heard.  This year “Auntie Suzie” (Suzanne Mahfood Beck) has a group of our dancers rehearsing a dance to "O Holy Night."  Through the years we have learned that certain members of staff have hidden theatrical talents, and even though we will be in Bethlehem, a certain little mosquito and her tidings of no joy will make an appearance.  A part is found for each child and rehearsals are enjoyed over and over again. 

Everyone is involved in creating

In keeping with our belief that each child’s effort is valuable, decorations are mostly handmade by them.  Paint, glitter and glue abound.  Salt dough ornament production is enjoyed as much by the adults as the children.  Messy is OK – the process is to be enjoyed. 

Auntie Leslie's salt dough candle holder made by the children last year

While all the preparations which centre on the children are ongoing, there is another more serious side to Christmas at S.T.E.P.  This is our busiest fund raising time with the sale of our Christmas Cards in full swing.  Tables and spaces are taken over and persons co-opted to call prospective customers, count and pack cards and make deliveries.  The busier the card centre the better.  Note the cards here on our page to the right and give us a call or an e-mail to purchase these wonders and support our school. ($100 each) (thestepcentre@yahoo.com)

  

At heart , we return to celebrating the birth of the baby whose message of peace and love for all, especially for the most vulnerable remains, with us.  It has been a difficult term at the school, but we have received much and are grateful in return.  

May we wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and joy.  Once again we remind you that you are welcome to come and see the "Joy in action" of each of our children sharing their special blessings  for the holiday in their Christmas celebration and production. 

December 17th 9:30 AM at the school at 4 Tremaine Rd. Please call us to let us know you are coming , so we can be prepared with enough chairs. (946-3611)    

For each one of our faithful supporters and readers we wish for you the love of the people who surround you and make your life rich. Though times get busy and "balance sheets" stretch thin, remember that joy will find you if you but open your heart to receive it. As our children know, it isn't about your ability to keep up or have much, but to do whatever is within your abilities. Recognize the moments when you are surrounded by a celebration of spirit, and accepted by folks who love you...... just the way you are!!!!    

Merry Christmas from the Tropics 

                                       Post written by Hillary Sherlock