VOCATIONAL & REMEDIAL TRAINING AT THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (NCPD)

Four Month Progress Report

Rhonda Stevens

I was teacher's aid with deaf student about four and half years in Antigua. However, I stopped teaching the deaf student since most of the time I would stay at home. Mr. Leslie Emanuel from the Antigua And Barbuda Association told me he had a project in mind for me. He was discussing and talking about Trinidad and he asked me if I would be interested in coming to Trinidad. I told him I liked computers and would be interested. He spoke with my aunt Mrs. Patricia Stevens and she said okay. He been had planning this for me a long time.

It was first time I visited Trinidad and National Center for Person with Disabilities. I was met at the airport by Ms. Beverly Beckles who took me to the home I was to stay at, then to the NCPD. Miss Beverly Telemaque showed me around to the different areas such as the Sewing Department, Office Practice, Life Skills, Woodwork, Food Preparation, Agriculture area. I met a lot of teachers and trainees who were doing the courses. They were very cool.

I was put in the Office Practice class and I was learning to type things like memorandum and letters block style, and much more. My teachers are Miss Annesa Dawson and Mrs. Nicole Maloney. She taught me about typing. But that is not all the time.

The time was very short and soon the months ended. I had to do a lot of extra work to make up the time for me to be able to write the National Education Council Typing exam. The exam was on the 26^th June and it was hard. I tried my best and did all the questions. I hope to pass the exam.

I still need to learn and practice more because in December I have to do the Pitman Exam. I am still learning and practicing and now I am using the computer in my jobs. I have computer classes too.

I still Miss Patricia Stevens.

Last April 14, Miss Beverly Beckles took us gone in Port of Spain. I really enjoyed myself and there were a lot of sports. It rained all day. The people were getting wet and there was a lot of mud. I met many people at the sports at POS. I do not play sports so I just chatted my new friends. They were lots of fun and I had a really good time.

On April 28, my Teacher Nicole Maloney she invited to come to her church. It was very nice.

On May 11, Omerilla, Suzet, and Chirstine took me to Gulf City Mall. We really had a lot of fun and enjoyed ourselves. They had to buy some things and they took me along.

On May 12, Leon took me to Church. I met deaf people at the church. They asked me "Where are you from?" I told them, I was from Antigua. They said Yeah! Nice meet to you. I told them you too.

On May 18, Miss Beverly Beckley took us gone to Couva for Carnival. She said, "This is my house." I told her it was a nice house. She told us to come in, and walk around. Carnival here is a big party on the road. They have big bands and every one has a lot of fun. I had fun.

On May 25, Omerilla, Suzet, and Chirstine took me to another Mall at Chaguance Town. They always go out and walk around. They showed me around, we walked and bought food and had lots of fun.

On May 30, Ms. Beckles and her friend took us to a Beach at Morgua. It was ugly at the beach it was like mud and brown water. I really hated that and I would not swim at that beach. Ms. Beverly said please come and I told her no thanks. She asked why. I told her that I do not like mud. I really love the blue water and the beaches are beautiful in Antigua. They swam and I sat on a stone and watched. I still had a good time. Morgua is too far.

On May 31, They took us out again. They talked about oil like fuel and showed me Point Lisas Industrial Estate. Then they went to the Hill at San Fernando. I could see many things far from there, the mountains, houses, and even the sea.

On June 8, Diane Simon, the lady at the home, and I went to POS and West Mall. We walked around and limed.

On June 23, some of the trainees Leon, Lisa, Denise and other deaf people went to Beach at Mayaro. We met at the church. We had a lot of fun, we played games, chat, and eat. They had a really good time.

On July 22, I went to a Seminar on Job Preparedness at the Centre. Ms. Beckles and Miss Oneata Forde were the speakers. She taught us how to write applications, answer advertisements, how to dress, speak and how to do up a resume. It was for the whole day. We got folders with information we could keep.

On July 25, we had the GRADUATION CEREMONY at City Hall Auditorium in San Fernando. It was nice and we took lots of pictures. I got my certificate and it had a picture of me in my gown in the folder. They had everyone’s picture shown on a large screen when we collected our certificates.

On July 26, Graduation Dinner and Dance. At NCPD they teach us the right way to eat with knife and fork and how to be polite at dinner. At the Dinner, everyone had to eat with knife and fork. After the dinner, we had the Dance. My friends and I love to dance. We had lots of fun at the Graduation Dinner and Dance at Mikane Hotel.

On August 03^rd, my Office Practice teachers took us to St. Ann’s to Valley View Waterpark. There was a pool with slides and it was lots of fun. Later we went to the City of Grand Bazaar mall.

I have learned many things in NCPD. I want to study hard and do well in the Pitman Exam in December. I like it here and I am having fun learning new things, going new places and meeting new people.

Prepared and written by Miss Rhonda Stevens

July 31^st, 2002

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