Our adventure starts in Dominica with the reopening of a school and the financial support of the local NGO PACIS
(The parents advocating for the inclusion of children with disabilities in society)
(The parents advocating for the inclusion of children with disabilities in society)
Dominica promotes itself as "Nature island," a tropical nation of rugged beauty that’s also vulnerable to major natural disasters. During the hurricane season, every year, the 66 000 inhabitants pray not to live again a natural disaster.
In 2017, hurricane Maria damaged and destroyed a staggering 95% of Dominica's housing stock and killed 70 persons. Eight years after, the country is still recovering. The government had to provide new shelters, bring some food and some water from abroad.
Since then, young people in Dominica have lacked the infrastructure they need to learn, play, socialise, and develop.
In 2017, hurricane Maria damaged and destroyed a staggering 95% of Dominica's housing stock and killed 70 persons. Eight years after, the country is still recovering. The government had to provide new shelters, bring some food and some water from abroad.
Since then, young people in Dominica have lacked the infrastructure they need to learn, play, socialise, and develop.
The Challenge
On the island of Dominica, children — especially those with physical and mental disabilities — have had nowhere to grow, play, and learn together.
With little infrastructure to support them, parents were forced into painful choices: keep their children hidden at home or give up their jobs and dreams.
With little infrastructure to support them, parents were forced into painful choices: keep their children hidden at home or give up their jobs and dreams.
Our Response
Hope&Love is delighted to be supporting the NGO Pacis, founded by Mr Irish, in reopening their centre for disabled children.
After careful renovation, the center now welcomes around 20 children, aged 3 to 18. Here they receive:
After careful renovation, the center now welcomes around 20 children, aged 3 to 18. Here they receive:
-
School supplies and stimulating learning -
Nutritious organic food -
Guidance from a loving teaching team -
A cook -
A gardener -
A bus driver who ensure daily care, growth, and safe access
- School supplies and stimulating learning
- Nutritious organic food
- Guidance from a loving teaching team
- A cook
- A gardener
- A bus driver who ensure daily care, growth, and safe access
The vision doesn’t stop with children. In the evenings, the center opens its doors to adults, offering training in sewing, computer skills, foreign languages, and more. Together, children and parents are not just surviving — they are thriving.
BEFORE
process
"For parents, this means freedom to work again and rebuild their lives with dignity"
2016
2016
Creation of PACIS NGO for disabled children
2017
2017
Hurricane Maria. The center was forced to close
2020
2020
After renovations, the center opens again
now
now
Hope&Love works hand by hand with PACIS to provide all their needs
Director of the NGO PACIS :
Mister Ainsworth Irish.
Mister Ainsworth Irish.
Our partners in Dominica
This is more than a project. It is a movement of dignity, inclusion, and possibility.
With your support, we can keep the doors of this center open and expand its reach. Every donation brings hope to a child, strength to a parent, and resilience to an entire community.
Ark of Angels Foundation
The Ark of Angels Foundation is a community-based group in Dominica working to bring hope, care, and opportunity to children and families in need. Together with the Hope and Love Foundation, we’re supporting the PACIS Center for Children with Disabilities, helping to create a more inclusive and caring community. Ark of Angels is also developing local initiatives such as a Food Basket Program and regenerative livelihood projects that promote wellness, self-reliance and long-term community sustainability.
