On the Fourth birthday of The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation on April 28-2012, we will be awarding several special young people who have entered our annual Autism and Disabilities Ambassadors Competition.
This competition is to spark behavioral change among the secondary school level population in Jamaica and enable The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation to address the issue of Autism coping in the nation in a multiplicity of ways.
The competition is very hard and is designed to help entrants learn more about Autism and Disabilities, especially if they are not affected themselves and to help them learn about the role they have to play, as citizens who will lead the country, nurse the sick, teach the special etc. once they become adults - and the problem remains.
Please read the following and please comment it's from a 14 year old entrant who has been doing really well. The entrant attends a prominent Kingston high school .
The entrant writes "I have some pictures of the charts that I have placed in the church and mosque. I did not get the chance to take pictures of the library display, Today I also volunteered at the home with the help of Ms. Smith. It was a great experience and I met new friends, Ricky, Brittney and David.I played dominoes with them and i enjoyed it. My essay is attached and I will make sure to send the pictures on Monday.Couple weeks ago I saw on television an interview you were doing about autism splash and you said that you got the idea from one of the special events in Jamaica, I liked the creativity of this event :) happy I have sent to the gleaner and teenage observer the article and I will let you know if it will be published. I learnt a lot today and I am enjoying the experience of spreading the word bout disabilities. I am also getting positive responses about the display in the library. I will continue to keep you updated on what I am doing and I also want to say Thank you for the opportunity to not only educate others more about disabilities but also learning more myself and meeting new people. Thank you! :x lovestruck"
I always am very happy when these young people learn and gain in this way and believe me this years' winners will be even more highly rewarded than last - they deserve it. It's pretty hard to be a teen and get involved in an activity that's not popular and "cool" and just by breaking that mold, they have impressed our organisation!
Love Maia.
