The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation (MCADF) has for the third year of its existence copped another award; one that should yield significant outcomes for the Autistically affected and otherwise disabled which the Foundation serves - specifically in the area of developing and sustaining education and therapy services now available in Jamaica.
The award is a collaboration between the Jamaican manufacturing giant Seprod Jamaica Limited and the Lion's club of Mona Kingston Jamaica.
Maia Chung-Smith was awarded at the Lions and Leo Clubs of Mona's annual change of administration ceremony on Saturday July 2-2011, on the University of the West Indies Mona Campus.
The award presented to Mrs. Chung-Smith was in "recognition of dedicated and outstanding attention to the cause of Autism in Jamaica".
The award however goes beyond recognition, as co-awarder the Lions Club of Mona Jamaica is through joint efforts with Seprod and other major corporate sponsors committing to conducting a signature project with the Foundation, for the period July 2011 to June 2012 - that will see the Lions Club of Mona partnering with education facilities which come under the MCADF; to foster the development of the infrastructure of these institutions.
These facilities in Jamaica are typically under funded. The lack of funding of these facilities in the main, has led many of the existing schools to cut back on vital services; that the Ministry of Education have deemed imperative to the early as well as ongoing education of the Autistic child.
According to Ms. Chung many of these schools are struggling to make their pay bills, their utility bills and therapy bills that will see them performing at the optimum capacity to assist the Autistic child's proper treatment.
With the ongoing increasing numbers of Autistic people around the world, Miss Chung says that one of the core focus areas needs to be creating infrastructure of all types to cater to these individuals needs.
She asks, " what are we going to do place them in a barrel and roll them off the island?!"
According to Ms. Chung - "there are several education facilities that are a part of our organisation that right now, are uncertain if they can re-open in September 2011 to keeping on educating Autists as well as the otherwise disabled".
She adds that "on the Tuesday of this very week that I was informed about the Seprod and Lions of Mona's well needed infusion, a principal of one of the more successful Autism schools in Jamaica, called me crying ...saying she is so disheartened about the lack of support available to schools such as hers".
And by translation the students.
Chung adds -" I was shocked to hear that this woman and her family have sold their home to keep up the continuation of providing the services they do and guess what... they are facing losing the school...so they will lose everything".
Mrs. Chung-Smith explained that, "this woman went and got her special education training in the United States and decided to come back here to help Jamaicans and this is her reward?"
The MCADF makes the point that when a school like this closes, there are so little options that these children end up usually worse off, than a neurotypical (normal) child who, if their school shuts down has a plethora of options both private and state run. Even if they are wealthy or impoverished as the Government makes provisions for these citizens.
Already the MCADF has identified a project of imperative focus that this partnership will benefit.
Debrah Rigg President Elect of the Lions Club of Mona, will be overseeing the partnership and says that the club will be doing everything to ensure that as many Autism affected families are helped as is possible.
The Mona Lions Club is a member of a worldwide service organisation whose main aim is service to community with a special focus on sight preservation.
Marcia Kitson-Walters, is the Group Marketing and Sales Manager of Seprod and has been cited as one of the chief advocates, for the move to partner with an the MCADF, that would seek to help the Autism situation in Jamaica.
Seprod has among its top corporate objectives the maintenance of the role of a good corporate citizen and to contribute to the public welfare.
Seprod's role as a good corporate citizen is underscored by its involvement in the community, the country at large and by its support of various charities, educational activities and civic organizations.
These have included contribution to United Way of Jamaica, sponsorship of the Junior Achievement Programme, financial support to charities, service clubs and assistance to schools, to name a few.
Seprod says it recognises that community involvement is an important obligation and as a viable business objective.
Seprod and the Lions Club of Mona Jamaica -have
Seprod's principal activities are the manufacturing and distribution of edible oils and fats, corn products and other household consumer products.
Autism is a brain development disorder.
If you or someone you know has been affected by Autism, you know how difficult it can be.
But also know there is help available and a wealth of information out there to help make living with Autism more fulfilling.
Autism falls under the "Pervasive Developmental Disorders", or PDD (more on this later) is not that uncommon - it is estimated that nearly 1 in 150 births result in some form of Autism.
According the the U.S. Department of Education, this number is on the rise. Autism is around 4 times more likely to occur in boys than girls.
