The month of April is dedicated to Autism Awareness, and Sagicor has been actively shining a spotlight on organizations across the region to drive conversations, educate the public, and garner financial support for these vital institutions. Many of these organizations are led and managed by dedicated parents and specialists in autism care.
Sagicor’s efforts in Dominica included a generous donation to the Alpha Centre, which was used to purchase uniform shirts and provide a food basket. In addition, the company hosted a radio program on Kairi FM to raise awareness about autism and parenting. The Alpha Centre stands as the sole institution in Dominica committed to educating children with moderate to severe learning disabilities, including autism.
Brother Raymond Philogene, the Principal of the Alpha Centre, expressed profound gratitude for Sagicor’s support, emphasizing that contributions from both public and private entities are essential for the continued operation of the Alpha Centre.
Furthermore, Sagicor extended its support to the Hot Topics radio program on Kairi FM on April 17. Hosted by Vanessa Bruno, the program delved into the theme “Autism; Different Not Less,” exploring the characteristics of autism, the importance of early diagnosis, and available resources for parents of children with autism in Dominica. The discussion featured Caya Harris, a Sagicor General team member and mother of an autistic child, Christel Pascal from the Achievement Learning Centre, and Neva Edwards, a Social Worker.
For those interested, a playback of the program titled “Autism; Different Not Less” is available on Facebook.
Stephen Wiltshire MBE, Hon.FSAI, Hon.FSSAA, is autistic and a renowned architectural artist. He was born in London in 1974 to Caribbean parents; his father was a native of Barbados, and his mother is a native of St. Lucia.
This National Geographic article serves as an introduction to his remarkable achievements: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/autism-artist-stephen-wiltshire-cities-genius