100 FIRST AID KITS FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS

MONDAY JANUARY 04, 2020: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- Six special needs schools were the happy recipients of 100 first aid kits as part of the Digicel Foundation’s ‘Preparing You’ Programme.  The kits were donated by the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) and presented to Principals of Goodwill Industries, New Beginnings, The Memisa Centre, National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Wharton Patrick and Lady Hochoy Arima on December 15.

The joint initiative by TTRCS and the Digicel Foundation comes on the heels of a First Aid training that took place at the Red Cross headquarters last month.  Equipping the schools with First Aid kits ensures teachers and administrators of special needs schools are not only trained in first aid efforts, but have the necessary tools for emergency response.

The Red Cross has long been a valued partner and stakeholder of the Digicel Foundation’s ‘Preparing You’ programme, which is a disaster and emergency preparedness programme for persons with disabilities.

“Our Society is very grateful to the Digicel Foundation,” said Jill de Bourg, President of the TTRCS “and we’re thrilled to be part of a programme that builds resilience for vulnerable children. Knowing that they’re better prepared for a disaster eases their minds and ours.”

Digicel Foundation Board Member and Head of Security & Facilities at Digicel Guy Small, was on hand to present the first-aid kits to the six Principals. He also surprised Ms de Bourg with the Digicel Foundation’s 2019 Partnership Recognition Award, in acknowledgement of all the good work done by the TTRCS.

Ms de Bourg accepted the award on behalf of the Red Cross Team who facilitated the first-aid training workshops, and also reminded those in attendance of the V65 Emerging Designer Competition for Red Cross Carnival 2021, encouraging them to spread the word amongst their peers and communities. Over the 2019-2020 period, ten special needs schools have participated in the Foundation’s Preparing You programme. Thirty principals and administrators received First Aid certification from the Red Cross.