BARBADOS COUNCIL FOR THE DISABLED
HARAMBEE OPENING CEREMONY
7 April 2006
Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Owen Arthur
Minister of social Transformation, Hon. Trevor Prescott
Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Anthony woods
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Hon. Gline Clarke
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, The Rev. Hon. Joseph J.S. Atherley, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, The Hon. Cynthia Forde
Mr. Hamilton Lashley MP, Advisor to Government on Poverty
Sir and Lady Wilfred wood
Representatives of the Diplomatic Corp
Ms.Niloufar Pourzand, Senior Programme Officer UNICCEF
Ms. Rebecca Arias UNDP
Senator, Ivan Lynton
Permanent Secretaries
Roslyn Hurley Special Envoy for PWD
Directors of the Council
Past presidents of the council
Presidents and Members of affiliated organisations
Other distinguished guests
Members of the press
Ladies and Gentlemen
There is no doubt that Harambee House and the support we have had in achieving our goal is something to be celebrated and we are here this morning to celebrate that achievement and to thank the pioneers and numerous individuals who over the years have cleared the path for the current board to make the strides that we are making today
30 years ago the Barbados Association of the Handicapped now known as Barbados Council for the Disabled was formed. The founding members were the Barbados Association for the Blind and Deaf, the Barbados Association for Mentally Retarded Children and the Barbados Cheshire Homes for Physically Handicapped Children.
The Principal Officers were Sir William Douglas, President, Mrs. Eileen Ainsley-Murray, Vice President, Mrs. Jacqueline Banfield Secretary and Mr. Tony Marshall.
Of the early advocates we salute the work of the late Mrs. Eileen Ainsley-Murray, and Sir William Douglas. We also solute those early pioneers who are present with us this morning, Miss Ina Pickering, Mrs. Peggy Innis and Ms. Jacqueline Banfield.
The work of the pioneers has expanded to the Council now having a membership of 19 organizations with dozens of dedicated advocates of and for persons with disabilities.
Since our handing over ceremony, two new organisations have become members of the Council. We welcome the Autism Association and the Stroke Association of Barbados.
In pursuing our goals and seeking office space for our administrative staff, we knew that we were bringing a history of achievement, as well as the knowledge that our ability to contribute was not limited by our disabilities.
We also strongly believed that persons with disabilities deserve the best and should not be treated less favorably than anyone else. It was also important that the building was not just given to the Council, but it was a building that Persons with Disabilities contributed to.
Government allocated the old CEDERA building to the Council in October 2003. From the early viewing we knew that sharing the space with our membership would create the opportunity for PWD to offer support to each other, share experiences and set goals
In March 2004, at the handing over ceremony, the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister responded to our request and officially named our office and resource centre Harambee House. Harambee is a Swahili word, which means working together.
From the early stages we knew that Harambee House would need substantial adaptations if we wanted to create a fully accessible environment. The then Minister Mr. Hamilton Lashley negotiated with Minister the Hon. Gline Clarke to support the project by providing a workforce from the Ministry of Public Works.
In August 2005 we were entrusted with a budget from Government to purchase items needed for the refurbishment of Harambee House, with support from some business houses, we managed our allocated budget very well. In fact, we now feel that we can market ourselves as contractors with disabilities. Please note I did not say disabled contractors.
Harambee House initially seemed spacious and we divided the building into two to ensure that space for a resource centre was clearly allocated. Our first task was to ensure that the building and rooms were fully accessible and with assistance from an architect, provided by the MPW we designed Harambee House
We used space creatively and adapted a room housing two water tanks into office space, steps into ramps, widened doors and leveled floors. We also turned a shower and washroom into office space and an office into a washroom. In fact the building was completely refurbished with accessibility for all disability groups in mind. But like any accommodation that people move into the creative thinking on the use of space will continue.
Yes, we are very proud of Harambee House, we have achieved one of the goals that so many have fought for.
Harambee House is new and exciting, but it can become just bricks and mortar if we do not use the facilities as a base to achieve the other goals set by our colleagues, some no longer with us.
Our goal is not just to sensitise, but set standards that would make a difference in the lives of all persons with disabilities living in or visiting Barbados.
In our role as advocates, we are constantly reminded by members of the press as well as by our membership, of the white paper on disability set before parliament 4 years ago. In April 2005 an advisory committee was appointed to monitor the progress in implementation of the white paper but regrettably, to date that committee has not been convened.
Our goal is to have in place policies and services that would facilitate the inclusion of PWD. Our ultimate goal is for our achievements to have an impact on policies, facilities and services for persons with disabilities throughout the region.
We cannot do this without support and partnership, in my head I used to say everyone must know someone, or is related to someone with a disability, by talking to individuals, I have proved this to be a fact. Some of the stories and experiences are too distressing to be told.
As a society we must turn over a new page and treat each other with respect. My turn today, there is a possibility that it will be your turn tomorrow.
Two years ago at the handing over ceremony, Sir Wilfred Wood, shared the platform with us and read prayers. With permission from him I can say that, today, Sir Wilfred Wood is totally blind. Sir Wilfred Wood continues to be a Council’s volunteer and I take this opportunity to thank him for suggesting the appropriate name for our building, Harambee House.
As we know disability is not limited to one section of our community,
I think of Professor Hawkins a brilliant scientist, who cannot move a limb, he depends on assistive devices for his every need, including speech. His brilliant mind is not affected; with support he is able to influence the thinking of scientists throughout the world.
How many brilliant minds do we have trapped at home and in residential settings, who have not had opportunities because their caregivers are over protective or embarrassed by their disability, or because services and assistive devices are not available to facilitate their inclusion, or because they simply cannot manage the physical environment.
We will never know unless we start treating persons with disabilities as human beings who have rights, hearts and souls. Often intentions are good, but action is very slow. In other words promises are made, but not always followed through.
We know that with creative systems of support, individuals with disabilities can be assisted to enjoy their highest level of independence, while enriching communities with their strength and courageous spirit.
As we celebrate the opening of Harambee House and move into a new phase of development, we would like to thank individuals who helped us to achieve this goal.
We would like to thank Mr. Hamilton Lashley, MP now advisor to Government on poverty, for believing that we could fulfill our vision and for negotiating with Minister Gline Clarke MPW for us to access his Ministry’s work force.
Thank you Minister Clarke for your continued support.
Special thanks to Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Social Transformation for entrusting us with the funds for the adaptations to Harambee House, and to the Ministry for supporting us during the negotiating stages.
I would particularly like to thank Mr. Ron Arthur from MPW, who often sounded like a patient father who would do the best he can, he certainly did, thank you Mr. Arthur.
Thank you Mr. Noel, building supervisor on site, he added his creative thinking and willingly took on board, our wishes.
We thank Mr. Dasilva from the Ministry of Housing and Lands for recognizing that as a community of Person with Disabilities, we had a genuine need for accommodation. We would also like to thank him for his attendance at numerous meetings and for his advice and support.
Thank you, Mr. Johnny Tudor, who always know a man who can, and have supported the Council’s work in many ways. Thank you Johnny,
Thank you Mr. Bizzy Williams, we spoke to you around 4.30 one afternoon and you responded to our request by arriving at Harambee House to make your assessment at 7.30 the very next morning. You left us in no doubt of your support, thank you.
Our sincere thanks also extend to Mr. Haynsley Benn and Mr. Terrance Mahon from DaCosta Mannings whose donation of three complete accessible toilet sets including grab rails is greatly appreciated.
We also thank Brankers and Terrific tiles, for their donations and discounts.
Thank you’s are extended to Mr. Andrew Lashley, from RTEK for personally assessing our Air conditioning needs and offering us discounted prices.
Durette for their donation of windows.
Emma Corrie, Events Unusual, you are always there when we need you, thank you for giving us so much of your time. We enjoy your creativity.
Mr. John McGuire who negotiated the Council’s occupation of Detco Motors
Mr. Waterman, who accommodated our administrative staff while we awaited the completion of Harambee House.
To our staff team, we could not get where we are today without our amazing staff team and I would underline team. The phone will always be answered at 8 am by a cheerful energetic voice and someone is always there to respond to a query at 5 pm and often beyond that time and to our two drivers who have been flexible in responding to the request for transportation by PWD.
My special thanks to Roseanna Tudor, our operations manager, who ensured that every item needed by the builders was immediately purchased and was there with me every step of the way. She has worked beyond the call of duty late in the evenings including weekends. Really and truly, with health and safety regulations, I should have bought Roseanna steel tipped shoes and a hard hat. Thank you Roseanna.
To our membership, your goals are foremost in our minds; we thank you for your patients
Finally, Honorable Prime Minister on behalf of all who will benefit from the use of Harambee House, including the generation who would come after us, I want to thank you for helping to make our dream a reality.
As Head of Government and of the Civil Service your Ministers and Civil Servants would have taken their queue from you and they would have recognized that this is not lip service on your part, but that you are genuinely interested in an inclusive and Fully Accessible Barbados.
Secondly as Minister of finance you had the last word on what financial resources were made available to us. So we are all gratified that you have found the time to be with us this morning to unveil our commemorative plaque.
Boneta Phillips
President
