Glenhope
Nursery gets wheelchairs, money
Glenhope Nursery gets wheelchairs, money Nine wheelchairs have been
donated to the physically challenged children at the Glenhope Nursery
in Kingston by Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO), a non-governmental
organisation in the United States. The wheelchairs and a cheque for
US$10,000 were last Tuesday presented to Superintendent of the Nursery,
Pauline Espute Brown by Gary Williams, who formed COJO.
In making the presentation, Mr. Williams said having worked at places
of safety in Jamaica, he realised that more emphasis needed to be
placed on the physically challenged.
'The needs of
the physically challenged cannot be ignored and they should be give
the same opportunities and enjoy the same benefits as those children
not physically challenged,' he said. Giving details of his organisation,
Mr. Williams said COJO has been in operation for four years and was
formed to provide assistance for needy children in Jamaica. The group
comprises Jamaicans living in the United States. Mr. Williams said
so far, COJO has raised funds and provided assistance for children
at the Alpha Boys Home and the Marigold Child Care Centre in Kingston.
He expressed
appreciation to Air Jamaica, Sandals Resorts International, Grace
Kennedy West Indies Airways and other organisations which sponsored
fund-raising activities for the organisation.
Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Seymour Mullings
congratulated Mr. Williams 'for taking a look at the nation's less
fortunate children. 'He said that at a time when the resources of
the government were limited, it was good that organisations were willing
to come to the assistance of others less fortunate than themselves.
Noting that the needs of the physically challenged could not be ignored,
Mr. Mullings said 'if the country is to develop its full potential,
we need to equip all our children so that they can make a meaningful
contribution to the country's development.
'He mentioned
that a national policy for persons with disabilities was being prepared
and should be placed before Parliament soon. Deputy Director of the
Children's Services Division, Cldette Hemmings also offered thanks
to Mr. Williams, noting that the wheelchairs would help the children
to move around more easily.