Published in The Caribbean Camera 30 Jan 2010
In response to the crisis in Haiti, the leading Caribbean children’s charity in Toronto, The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF), has been trying to determine what its response should be.
“We’re a medical charity, meaning we can only intervene in cases where money sent from TCCF must go to a hospital where surgery is being performed on a child we have accepted,” said TCCF president Jay Brijpaul.
“Unfortunately, Haiti presents a different type of challenge for a charity such as TCCF. So we have decided to take a different approach.”
That approach, Brijpaul said, will be for TCCF to look at “adopting” an orphanage in the earthquake devastated country, with the view of long-term help.
“Even though taking this course will be against our charter to transfer money only to hospitals, we have decided to work with another charity, the Peel Arya Samaj, which has no such restrictions, to see how best we can assist the orphans created by the earthquake. There were an estimated 380,000 orphans before the ‘quake, and that number has likely doubled, which will put a serious strain on the resources of any missions operating there at the moment… we think we can be most useful as a children’s charity if we intervene in at least one orphanage with a commitment to help get the necessities of life to those in their care, not as a one-time thing but over a long period.
“With this goal in mind, TCCF will stage an extra fundraising event this year in addition to the four we normally have. We’re looking at the possibility of doing it in April, and all funds raised from that event will go towards the orphanage mission.”
Brijpaul said that since the Haiti disaster, the community has been looking at the TCCF to take an initiative to help, since so many children have been affected. He said it took a few weeks for the directors to determine the best way forward, and the consensus is the “adopting an orphanage” route.
“This way we can help a number of children at once and over a period of time, which means whatever financial contribution we can make will count in the best way,” he said.
Brijpaul added that in summer, the plan calls for a fact-finding team from TCCF to travel to Haiti (at their own expense) to meet with people running orphanages to determine which one will be the best fit for the organization.
“Of course we will be counting on the community to support us in this effort, just as the community has supported us so generously in our other work over the last ten years.”
More information on the April fundraiser will be released once the details are finalized. Entertainers wishing to volunteer their talent, or anyone who can help in any way, can call Raynier Maharaj at 416-412-2905 x 22.
Meanwhile, TCCF’s first fundraiser for 2010, its annual Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, will be held on February 13 at the Empire Banquet Hall, 246 Brockport Drive. Live music will be provided by “Mr Melody” Richard Luces, and there will be gifts of roses for the ladies.
For tickets or more information, please call Jay Brijpaul 905-840-5369 or Doodi Ross at 416-412-2169.
