THE skills training programme for People with Disability, conducted by the Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, (RPSG) was Monday given a boost with the presentation of a 6-burner gas stove with oven, compliments of Venezuelan Ambassador Dario Morandy. 
Ambassador Morandy made the presentation to the group at a ceremony conducted at the Triveldt Community Centre, Blue Mountain Road, North Ruimveldt. Among those witnessing the presentation were members of the group and representatives of the targeted disabled community. President of the RPSG, Ms. Nurlene Bess, received the item on behalf of the group.
Ambassador Morandy, who spoke through an interpreter, Kawall Persaud, said he was happy to be able to contribute towards such a noble cause. Noting that Venezuela pledges solidarity and works in a variety of ways with the people of the Caribbean, he said that his government places emphasis on working with, and providing support for poor families and less fortunate children. Sunday’s humanitarian gesture was a tangible example of supporting the elderly and physically challenged in our midst.
A signal of greater things to come, Ambassador Morandy announced that come September, the Venezuelan Embassy, under a special arrangement, will be bringing in a group of technical people to offer courses in Spanish and craft manufacture for senior citizens in the group who can, in turn, impart such skills to the disabled.
The course is due to begin during the second week of September, and will be offered by the Venezuelan Institute, through the aegis of a relevant ministry at a government to government level, the Ambassador said.
The whole idea of the collaborative training was initiated by Ms. Miles Catanduanes, Organizational Development Advisor to the Venezuelan Embassy, who, after being approached by the executives of the RPSG, made representation to the ambassador who readily assented to the request. Apart from the teaching of Spanish, other courses to be offered include cookery, baking and floral designs.
The Ruimveldt Parent Support Group was started in 1996 and has as its objectives:
* the promotion of public awareness programmes on disability issues
* providing opportunities for parents and volunteers to acquire knowledge and skills from training sessions and workshops at the local and international levels, and
* formulation of policies that would make human rights philosophy a reality for People with Disability (PWD), among other things.
