– over $600,000 raised for new Step by Step school

FIRST Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger has encouraged donors and well-wishers of the Step by Step Foundation to continue supporting initiatives to build a new school for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Her encouragement, sounded in an address made at the launch of the building fund for the new Step by Step School, held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Friday evening, was made against a backdrop of activities held to mark Autism Month having garnered $685,000.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, and Republic Bank’s Managing Director Mr. Richard Sammy; the General Manager for Credit, Mrs. Parbatie Khan; the Corporate and Management Services’ General Manager, Ms. Denise Hobbs; Marketing and Communications Manager Ms. Michelle Johnson; and Architect Mr. Kenrick Thomas, who designed the layout for the new school free of cost; besides representatives of the Foundation and other supporters, also attended the event.

Mrs. Granger recalled that when she was invited to become Patron of the Foundation, she agreed without hesitation. She said she is extremely pleased at the support received from individuals and donors alike at the first major awareness and fundraising effort — the ‘Light it up blue’ Autism Awareness Walk on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day.

“When we first started our first exercise for autism awareness…I was struck by the fact that there were not only people there, companies were involved, but also some of the kids were there; and I think it brought home to some of us who did not have dealings with children with special needs, particularly ASD, that they are people like us,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady announced that the ‘Light it up blue walk’ alone netted $383,000 in proceeds.
“I think it’s our first little step towards the foundation for the school, and I am hoping that through corporate and private donations, large or small, we will be able to commence the building of the school,” she said.

Mrs. Granger also said she is looking forward to more donations and further collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the school. She noted particularly that linkages with the ministry will lead to earlier diagnoses and treatment for children affected by ASD.

In giving a brief update on the Foundation’s progress, Dr. Suraiya Ismail, Chair of the Executive Committee, said the new school has a projected cost of $120M. The Foundation hopes to be able to accommodate 50-60 children, to provide training facilities for parents, and training opportunities for Education Ministry teachers, among other plans.

The Foundation has grown from five children to seventeen, and plans are in train to enroll two more in September. It also now boasts seven tutors, and the Ministry of Education has committed to providing teachers as needed.

“Our growth was achieved through the generosity of many, many donors from the private sector and from individuals too many to name,” Dr. Ismail said. He added that the foundation is “extremely fortunate to have the patronage of the First Lady”.

Mr. Richard Sammy, Managing Director of Republic Bank, said in his address: “It is my pleasure to acknowledge the widespread enthusiasm and support for this cause.”

He noted that a number of companies donated their products, purchased t-shirts, and their staff members and other persons showed up, purchased t-shirts and participated in the ‘Light it up blue’ walk. Today, many individuals also made direct cash donations, and all combined, the efforts netted the sum of $685, 000.

In an invited comment, Ms. Michelle Johnson, Republic Bank’s Marketing and Communications Manager, said staff members upped their support for the Foundation today, donning ‘Light it up blue’ t-shirts, buying them from the Bank, or simply by wearing blue to the office today. Several made cash and other donations to the Foundation, almost doubling the initial sum raised from $383,000 to $685,000.

She has encouraged other companies and individuals to continue supporting the Foundation’s efforts to build the new school. (Ministry of the Presidency)