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Update - September 2002 The annual auction for the benefit of the Bequia Sunshine School for Children with Special Needs is planned for Sunday January 19th, 2003. Please see the article by Nicola Redway of Outhouse Graphics at the Bequia Tourism Association website events page at URL http://www.bequiatourism.com/events.htm#sunshine. Update - December 2000 - Vision and Love The Bequia Sunshine School's splendid new building was formally opened on Thursday 16 November, in the presence of former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell, Governor General Sir Charles Antrobus, a representative from the Japanese Government, Senator McIntosh, the board of Governors, invited guests and students from the school. The Sunshine School for Children with Special Needs, which now has four full-time members of staff and 20 students, began over 18 years ago as a small school for deaf children, funded by the Bequia Mission of Canada. The school offers assistance to students with various disabilities, including mental and physical disabilities, hearing impairment and learning problems. Its curriculum utilises the basic Primary School curriculum, adapted for the special needs of individual children. Older students are also taught sewing and other household skills. Construction of the school began in 1998, and was made possible by the allocation of government land in Port Elizabeth followed by very generous donations of funds. The Government of Japan was the single largest contributor, giving a total of EC$227,000. The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines contributed EC$30,000, with the balance of requirements raised through further private donation, and the provision of equipment, time, labour and materials by numberous private individuals and organizations. Bequia architect Herman Belmar ws responsible for the excellent design of the new building, whose opening marks a major step forward for the school. Spacious and airy with several classrooms, sewing room, library and kitchen, it is an inspiration to everyone involved, not least to the students themselves, who were bursting with pride and enthusiasm during last week's opening ceremony. The audience was treated to two stirring songs performed by the students, and a heartfelt "thank you" from one of the younger students, Christa Kydd, who stood fearlessly on a stool to better deliver her message! Cameshia Davis, another student, had the proud honour of cutting the ribbon, with the assistance of present board chairman Greg Thomas, and former chairman John Corbett. The Library at the school was formally dedicated to the memory of Canadians Father Ron and June Armstrong, who were so instrumental in the school's creation and development. The plaque unveiled by their daughter Judy Simmons read: "Dedicated to Father Ron and June Armstrong whose vision and love for the children led to the establishment of the Sunshine School". Rev. Calvert Friday brought the afternoon's moving and uplifting ceremony to a close with a blessing and dedication of the building. Principal teacher Camille Jacobs has much to be proud of. Her students are a credit to her and the school, and their achievements, both personal and academic, are inspiring. The school is now set to grow from strength to strength, with plans to increase the number of full time students and expand the skills and remedial training programmes. All this can only be achieved by more volunteer help, and most importantly, continued financial support for the running and maintenance of the school, which currently runs at over EC$30,000 a year. Any assistance that can be given will be greatly appreciated, however small it may be. To find out more, or to arrange a visit to the school, please feel free to call Camille Jacobs on (784)457-3794. And don't forget to put your small change in the official Sunshine School donation tins which are located in shops, bars and restaurants all over the island - every dollar and cent goes towards helping Bequia children less fortunate than others. As one poster in the school reads: "If you want a friend, you have to be a friend". Thank you to Nicola Redway of Outhouse Graphics for permission to reprint the above article originally published in their newsletter No. 36 for November 24th to 30th, Bequia This Week. on Sunshine School matters - Email: Greg Thomas, President Please indicate Sunshine School in the subject field of your message. Cheques/Checks should be made payable to The Sunshine School, and may be sent c/o Camille Jacobs, Port Elizabeth PO Box 90, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Update - January 2000 The SUNSHINE SCHOOL is now operating in its new building! Special Thanks to everyone who helped to make this possible. Although the main structure is complete, there is still some minor work to be done. The main classrooms are complete and occupied. However, others like the sewing room, physiotherapy room (for physically disabled students who need therapy), and the workshop (woodwork) are still to be completed. Chalkboards and storage cupboards are to be completed in some rooms and the workshop is yet to be painted. On the exterior, there is need for a retaining wall, before any landscaping could be done. Some changes and additions were made to the original plans, which resulted in an increase in cost. These changes included the roof covering the patio (which was originally open); the retaining walls at the back and at the entrance to the building, and the room for the workshop. The contractor offered to complete these areas, and didn't mind "waiting for payment". We owe him just under EC$60,000. The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, donated approximately EC$38,000 for the purchase of furniture, equipment and teaching aids. Some of this money was used to purchase material in Canada, which was then shipped down to us. Pat Butcher of The Bequia Mission, purchased and collected a container full of stuff (including doors, student desks, computers and desks, kitchen cupboards and coutertops), most of which has already been installed. Seven computers have been installed and are now ready for use. We have educational programs, which all our students use - at different levels. A small Library is provided, and we are in the process of equipping it. We need more material on SPECIAL EDUCATION. Recently we received gifts of books and school supplies from Canada, two specialized wheelchairs from USA (with two more on the way), and new hearing aids for three of our students. We plan to start a remedial Reading program soon. One head teacher is currently preparing a list of students who need help, and interested parents have been asking about the program. There is even a suggestion that we may (sometime in the future) be able to extend this program to include teenage school dropouts. The sewing program will be expanded and older students, who are presently involved, will eventually move into the program full time. Later the woodwork program would be implemented. The school population will be increased and new students would be accepted shortly. Of course to implement these programs, we need additional staff. The Ministry of Education has been approached for assistance. We are also looking into the possibility of having volunteer teachers from Canada, for periods of less than six months. In addition, there are many volunteers who now work at the school for periods up to three months. We need your support, to complete the project and to keep it running efficiently. Donors are invited to visit. Please continue to help us to help students with special needs on Bequia. Checks are to be made payable to The Sunshine School, and may be sent c/o Camille Jacobs, PO Box 90, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Background Information The SUNSHINE SCHOOL for children with special needs grew out of a small school for deaf children funded by the Bequia Mission of Canada. It started formally as The Sunshine School in 1982, and is therefore now in it's 18th year of operation. In 1992, The Sunshine School became a legally registered nonprofit organisation. It has grown and matured over the years, and at present caters for 18 students on a full-time basis. The home-visit program has been put on hold. These students exhibit a variety of disabilities including mental and physical disabilities, hearing impairment and slow learners. Mrs Camille Jacobs, who was trained in Special Education in Jamaica, and has been full time at the school since January 1994, heads the school staff. The Government pays her salary. With her help, three additional teachers paid by the school, provide a solid learning experience to help the students achieve to the best of their individual abilities. A former student of the school prepares lunch for the students. The Curriculum used by the school is the basic Curriculum for the Primary school, adapted to the special needs of the Sunshine School. For children with severe learning disabilities, basic health is taught; for older children sewing, household and other skills are part of the curriculum. The Board of Directors meets monthly to set policy and to oversee financial aspects. Mrs. Jacobs and her staff do the day to day operation of the school. It is the function of the Board to raise the funds necessary to meet the expense of running the school - currently approximately $30,000 annually. It has been apparent for sometime now that adequate facilities are needed for the growing number of students, including those who unfortunately could not be accommodated at our previous location. Land at Port Elizabeth was allocated by the Government, and construction on a new building, commenced in December 1998. The largest single contribution (EC227,000), was made by the Government of Japan. A very generous individual donated EC50,000 and the Government of St. Vincent and The Grenadines contributed EC30,000. Many organizations and individuals have generously contributed towards the cost of construction. We acknowledge the contribution made by Prime Minister Mitchell in helping to raise funds for the project. on Sunshine School matters - Email: Greg Thomas, President Please indicate Sunshine School in the subject field of your message. Or, Email: Camille Jacobs, Head Teacher at sunshine@vincysurf.com Email web page comments to Russ Filman at filman@sympatico.ca go to Russ' St. Vincent and The Grenadines . or . Bequia     last updated Apr 8/05