The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation is celebrating its 3rd year of existence come April 28-2011. We are now striving to making this year, 2011 - a greater one for the Foundation; which to date has put into circulation approximately six million dollars in donor funding, solicited by our organisation into the economy of Jamaica.
These funds have been used for various Autism and disabilities causes across the country and has impacted all beneficiaries in an outstandingly positive manner.
In 2010 we broke ground (again) by mounting the first disabilities roadshow to hit the island nation of Jamaica; the Autism roadshow. This roadshow was carried out as a part of the Foundation's production Specials, a radio show which ran for one year, nationally - starting in 2009, into 2010.
That programme was aimed at educating Jamaica and the region about Autism issues in Jamaica and around the globe; as the disorder continues to grow in an alarmingly rapid fashion to this day within the Caribbean region as well as globally.
The roadshow saw several live outside broadcasts being staged as a part of the radio production's format.
At these broadcasts which were aired nationally, Autism specialists from all over the country - gave their advice and consultative skills for free, at the Foundation's request to all persons who journeyed to the part of the island that the outside broadcast was staged.
Last year also saw the Los Angeles based Amazing Woman's Day organisation selecting founder of the Autism and Disabilities entity; Maia Chung as one of several Jamaican women it would honour for work which is seen as contributing to the progress of Jamaica. This was the first time women outside of the United States were chosen to be honoured by this group.
Ms. Chung joined the ranks of Opposition Leader Portia Simpson-Miller, Youth and Culture Minister Olivia Grange, Leonie Forbes, Fae Ellington, Tanya Stephens, Claudette Pious ,Donna Duncan and several other illustrious ladies of the Jamaican nation.
This year the Foundation has had to cutback a number of our more effective media outreach programmes such as our groundbreaking radio and television series about Autism in Jamaica and the wider region as the sponsorship dollar has shrunk , within the context of the ongoing recessive global economy.
It has saddened us and left many of those afflicted quite bereft and discouraged.
Still we press on, as God has led us to try new ways to influence the positive and progressive agenda of the Jamaican Autist and disabled person.
One of these is the inaugural Autism and Disabilities Ambassador's competition where the Foundation is seeking to identify, at the most 6 Autism and Disabilities Ambassadors who will work to qualify for the title and the prizes - by working with the disabled and crafting displays in their communities to encourage others to help and treat well, the disabled.
The competitors who are being judged by a panel of judges, which includes the Foundation's board of directors, as well as highly ranked Jamaican media personnel, are also being asked to use the media where possible to bring attention to the needs within this grouping.
The target group, for the competition is 12-18. One of the major underpinnings of this competition, is to prepare the youth populace, towards being open to careers involving working the disabled. As well as sparking a consciousness among this group; which will shortly matriculate to be the next generation of care givers , employees and politicians forming policies to impact the disabled.
Additionally, even while we are absorbing many serious financial problems; God has blessed us to be able to be on the cusp of releasing the Foundation's first publication Maia's Take.
This work was... through donor support produced specifically to help the Foundation mount an ongoing sustainable mechanism - that will garner funds on a consistent basis.
The book is an anthology penned by Maia Chung who has written professionally all her life as a journalist (18 years). In the book she explores personal as well as news issues , putting her spin on the topics.
The publication was designed by Mark Weinberger who was creative director for the project and it was proofed and edited by Sonia Scott both well known professionals in their fields.
We hope to move into some more imperatively needed work (money's willing) - that being the establishment of the first Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation school in St. Thomas a project being carried out in tandem member of parliament and energy minister James Robertson.
The path has gotten much more difficult, but with God continuing to be the real centre of The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation, we can say we will continue to fight the good fight. Please don't forget the Foundation's motto "All God's Children Welcome".