St Lucia / Charity Support

While you are on holiday in St Lucia, taking off time for yourself and perhaps your family, it can be easy to forget that even in a place as beautiful this, the islanders are affected by the same problems as everyone elsewhere in the world. Definitive Caribbean would thus like to highlight the work of SLADD, the St Lucia Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

SLADD is almost entirely responsible for the systemised care and guidance of disabled children. Unfortunately, disabilities are still seen as something of a stigma in St Lucia, so SLADD was founded to challenge these views and give disabled children a chance to fulfil their potential. The charity acts as an umbrella organisation to allocate the funds it receives to three different outlets.

The first of these is Dunnottar School, which provides specialist tuition for children who are mentally and physically challenged. The second is the Child Development and Guidance Center (CDGC) which identifies, assesses and treats children with developmental disabilities. The third is the Dunnottar Vocational Center that looks to develop their clients into self-sufficient persons, aware of their position within the Island and able to find suitable employment.

The Global Movement for Children, launched in St Lucia in 2002 admonishes: ‘Leave No Child Out’. Prime Minister Anthony declared 2003 ‘The Year of the Child’ in St Lucia, but the running of Dunnottar School, CDGC & Vocational Center are not covered by the Government of St Lucia. Although most of the staff are paid through the Ministry of Education and SLADD does receive a subvention from the Government, it is not enough to cover all salaries and day to day expenses. This means that the education and guidance of the lucky ones that are able to attend the School, Vocational Center or CDGC, is mostly funded by the SLADD.

How to Donate...

SLADD, Dunnottar School, La Pansee Road, P.O. Box 849, Castries, St Lucia

Phone Number: 001 (758) 452 4421 Email CDGC Website