US$20,000 medical storage upgrade for Cyril Ross

The Children of the Caribbean Foundation (COTC) co- founder Rosie Hodge Adams said the renovation has made a “huge difference” but there was still much work to be done at Cyril Ross Nursery — a facility that provides care and treatment for children who are HIV Positive.

In an interview after the blessing and dedication of the facility, Hodge-Adams said the Foundation planned to start a medical mission which will focus on dental care. Describing what she thought when she first visited the Cyril Ross Nursery last year, she said, “I saw some of the happiest children I have ever seen, despite the challenges they were very affectionate.”

Hodge-Adams and her husband have Caribbean ties, she was born and raised in St Kitts, and he is from the US Virgin Islands. She said she got the idea of doing a project which would make a difference in the lives of children in the Caribbean.

“I wanted to give children access to things children in the US have, to bridge the gap of poverty. Little things we take for granted in the states, and children fight tooth and nail for.” The Foundation was started in June 2010. Hodge-Adams’ family members and friends got involved. Miss Universe 1998 TT’s Wendy Fitzwilliam is a trustee of the Foundation. Fitzwilliam, an advocate for the home for several years, was contacted to get involved two years ago.

Hodge-Adams said the provision of school supplies to children in Caribbean islands including St Kitt’s, Jamaica and Grenada was the first project. The renovation and expansion of the pharmacy/treatment area was the first “large project” undertaken by the Foundation. Funding was raised through a party held in Los Angeles, where the foundation is based. Addressing the blessing and dedication ceremony, Hodge-Adams said Fitzwilliam gave such a “moving speech” that persons attending were “writing cheques” afterwards. Dr David John who has been providing service to the nursery on a volunteer basis since 1994 said there were two main benefits in having the renovation done — medication would be stored under more suitable conditions and more streamlined dispensing to children could occur.

Clive Belgrave, of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, which manages the home, said a total of 38 children received care and treatment at Cyril Ross Nursery with six of them “transitioning out” to a home for young adults at Cunupia. The facility also has an outreach service for 30 children who lived with their families.

US-based Fr Garth Eversely O. Carm, said prayers and blessed the pharmacy, and plaques were presented to members of the Foundation, staff at the Cyril Ross and the contractor who did the refurbishment Damion Marcellin.