Friends of the Ward, a small charity supporting the paediatric wards at the University Hospital of the West Indies made a recent presentation to the institution. From left are Dr. Minerva Thame, head of child health; Marva Forbes, clinical nurse manager; Heather Davis, director of child health; A.B. Atkinson, senior director of nursing; Alicia Bogues-Johnson, chair, Friends of the Ward; Rachael McDonald; Kristina Broderick; and Isabelle Vacante-Barnes. - contributed
The paediatric wards at the University of the West Indies are getting more support from local interests. Last November, Rachael McDonald, Kristina Broderick and Isabelle Barnes of El Centro: After School Programmes, knocked heads in an attempt to encourage and foster both creativity and empathy among the children they teach. The result: The Giving Paper.
Children under ten years entered a Christmas drawing competition where their holiday drawing were compiled and made into Christmas wrapping paper. With the help of Phoenix Printery, Copy Cat, Foot Candy, parents and friends, items were sold and all proceeds were donated to the Friends of the Wards, a small charity organisation committed to improving and maintaining the paediatric wards at the hospital. To date, the charity has donated about $2 million in medical equipment and supplies, and refurbished the parents' bathroom facilities.