Pioneering new project

In February, it was decided that we should begin a new project for school leavers & adults with learning disabilities, in Santo Domingo. At present there is very little for   children, leaving the Foundation’s school, to engage in (unless there is a family business, and they are able to help with that). There is very little available for them throughout Ecuador. A fact not lost on Jill and Sharon. Last year Sharon wrote a manual explaining how the school leavers could be trained, occupied and possibly employed, through the development of Life Skills. She ran a pilot scheme, with the older school children, so that the Directors could see what a project might look like.

A year later we are in the process of looking to employ a Leader, and Sharon will spend her final year working alongside this person, guiding and advising them. We need to advertise locally for young adults who may be interested in learning and working in a sheltered business environment, as well as developing other life skills.

We have a piece of land, which we plan to share with the Women’s Projects, being crafted to accommodate a small business. At present no decisions have been made, but the ideas include; growing ornamental plants, cacao, fruit & vegetables, making wooden craft items or clothes making. Any of these the young people would be able to assist with, until they develop the skills to be able to run a business of their own.

The programme will also include horse riding, cooking, housekeeping, hobbies, shopping and visiting useful places (like banks, markets etc).

This is an exciting time for LIAT(Ecuador), and we know that it will make a huge difference to the quality of life of the young people.

Sharon. March 2015.