ABAPD's EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY

After 8 years of vigorously advocating for changes to positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua & Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities turned the soil on land on the All Saints Road next to the Amazing Grace Home for Persons with Disabilities to celebrate our Anniversary.

The Association will shortly begin to establish a building to host an Office of contact and an Activity Centre where we can have our Organizational meetings, monthly or bimonthly rap sessions, peer counseling for persons with disabilities of all ages and genders, and their families.  The facility will also host a woodwork/upholstery manufacture and repair workshop, in addition to repair and eventually manufacture of assistive equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc.

All programmes implemented at the Centre will be geared toward promoting independent living for persons with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda.  We are therefore soliciting financial and most importantly technical assistance.

So far, we have secured pledges of assistance from local corporate citizens as well as various regional and international funding agencies.  Our Government has given written consent giving us free labour, and we have received the Cabinet decision that will remove the Development Control Authority (DCA) fees.  Also, we have been distributing sponsorship forms that have received good responses so far in raising tangible cash to begin the project.

Our most recent fundraising effort was a Pre-Valentine Take-Away Lunch and that was held at the Heritage Quay Bandstand in downtown St. John's.  It was well supported and it is hoped that such an event can be repeated soon.  The funds raised were marginal, but as they say, "every cent counts!"

These measures have drastically reduced the overall cost of construction so far; however, we are still in need of a lot of funds to complete this project.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Monday 19th May, 2003 at 3:30 PM.   The Association celebrated its 8th Anniversary on May 20, 2003.
Here are pictures of the event:

Groundbreaking opening ceremony

Turning of the soil by two members of the Association!

Putting up the sign for the Centre

 

Sign painted by two members of the Association

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