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The Good Shepherd Home for Children was founded in 1984 after the Society of St Vincent de Paul realised the need for alternative care for abused and abandoned children. The Home provides shelter and care to children, mainly girls, who are without parental guidance and support, temporarily or permanently, and who are being abused in their present environment so that their physical, emotional, social and mental development is hampered.
Children are admitted to the Home between the ages of five and 12 years. There are occasional exceptions for younger children, and boys are accepted only if they form part of a family and are permitted only to stay until they are four years of age. The Home has established a loving physical and emotional climate within a family-style environment, one which bears no resemblance to traditional institutional care. With this in mind, the number of children who are admitted to the Home will always be limited in order to maintain the right atmosphere.
Bearing in mind the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the Home guides children through school, church attendance, and counselling sessions in order that they can realise their potential and giving them the best chance to reach adulthood with the life skills to succeed in society.
For ways in which to help the children in the Good Shepherd Home in Antigua, please see below. |
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Ways to Donate
Please send your donations to the:
Antigua Commercial Bank
Corner St. Mary’s & Thames Streets
P.O. Box 95
St. John’s
Antigua
West Indies
Telephone: +1 (268) 481 4200
Fax: +1 (268) 481 4229
Swift Code: ANCBAGAG
Reference No. 0881192000
Name of Account: Society of St. Vincent de Paul/Good Shepherd Home Project |
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History
In 1959 member States of the United Nations, meeting in a General Assembly, recognised that all of humankind owes every child the best it has to give, and so they adopted unanimously the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Child’. This Declaration was universally accepted as being necessary to safeguard the healthy development of children, and to remind adults of their responsibility to ensure the safe passage of children into adulthood, so that they become contributors to society in their turn.
In 1984 the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the social arm of the Roman Catholic Church of Antigua, spearheaded the formation of a small group to discuss the plight of neglected and/or abused children in Antigua and Barbuda. Although the number of children who fitted this description was small compared to the child population at the time, the problem was deemed to warrant special attention on the part of the society. As time passed several cases of physically, emotionally and sexually abused children came to the attention of the Society, which then vowed to provide care for them by making available the Good Shepherd Home for Children. |
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Objectives
‘The Declaration of the Rights of the Child’ affirms that all children are entitled to:
The enjoyment of the rights mentioned, without any exception whatsoever, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion of nationality
Special protection, opportunities and facilities to enable them to develop in a healthy and normal manner, in freedom and dignity
A name and nationality
Social security, including adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services
Special treatment, education and care if handicapped
Love and understanding and an atmosphere or affection and security, in the care and under the responsibility of their parents whenever possible
Free education and recreation and equal opportunity to develop their individual abilities
Prompt protection and relief in times of disaster
Protection against all forms of racial, religious or other discrimination and an upbringing in a spirit of peace and universal brotherhood
Protection against all forms of cruelty and exploitation |
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Programmes
While in the Home, they participate in a programme of activities such as:
Normal household duties
School attendance
Attendance at churches of one’s Faith
Individual counselling sessions where indicated
Regular medical and dental checkups
Group counselling sessions
Recreational and supervised outings
Study periods
Visits to families (where relevant)
Family counselling (when possible)
Community activities: Carnival, Brownies, Scouts, Steel Pan playing etc |
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Achievements
The success of the Home can depend on the length of time that children are in their care. In general, older former residents now live on their own, and are often supporting families of their own. Some children have completed High School and obtained various CXC passes. Others have been rehabilitated with their parents or guardians.
Fostering is encouraged at an early age to aid in the bonding process. One special case is that of two twins, aged 22 in 2006, who are mentally challenged and who still reside at the Home after 18 years. They participated in the Special Olympics in the USA in 2000. They are gainfully employed and are able to support their mother, with whom they spend a week or two from time to time. They also assist with the care of the younger children in the Home.
For the most part, when children leave the Home they are well rounded and able to enter gainful employment. If necessary, the Home keeps in contact with former residents, giving them further assistance where needed. |
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Case Studies
A family of six stayed at the Good Shepherd Home for upwards of four years, including a baby boy of three months. The mother got married and migrated to the UK and was able to take all her children out of care. The bay boy was fostered by a family in Trinidad. They are in touch with Home and one child is now studying Sociology and the others have almost completed their education. From all reports they are all doing quite well. |
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Needs
The Home has a capacity for 12 children. At present, there is only one dormitory and one small bedroom which is used as a sick bay. A separate dormitory is needed for teenagers and a utility room for storage is also needed.
In addition, the Home needs funds for constant repairs and upgrading, not least the bus that was donated in 1995 and which requires everyday maintenance. |
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Staff
The Home is managed by the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago with the assistance of a housekeeper and a driver/handyman. Members of the local community help with homework, combing hair and grooming, remedial work, etc.
The Ecumenical Board of Management appointed by the Society assists the Sisters in the day to day management. The Home is owned and operated by the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
Mary Rose Knight, President.
Sister Annunciata De Souza, Administrator – she runs the home and looks after the children. |
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Getting Involved
The Home is open to assistance from Volunteers after appropriate screening.
For further information, please contact the Society of St Vincent de Paul at the below address or the telephone number or email address at the top of the page. |
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Contact Us
Good Shepherd Home for Children – Tel 001 (268) 462 2731
Diocesan Catholic Offices – P O Box 836, St John’s, Antigua.
Tel: 001 (268) 462 8581/0496
Fax: 001 (268) 462 2383 |
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