Open Your Heart to Special Needs Children

Amy's Gift to St. Lucia is asking for your help in these very hard times.

We are a charity helping special needs children and young people by supporting music therapy programs at Dunnottar School and The Boys Training Centre. The boys at the Center are all at risk and in addition to the music, they participate in a drug awareness and internet abuse program.

The Dunnottar school welcomes children with visual, auditory and developmental disabilities. Every child is able to participate in the Music Therapy Program.

Most of these children are from desperately disadvantaged homes. Some live in one-room houses. Imagine how difficult it is trying to cope with the lack of space and a child who may be hyperactive and have challenging behaviors. 

Music therapy helps the children develop a more positive self-perception. It improves concentration, understanding of the spoken word, ability to communicate and ability to better regulate involuntary movements. This improves the ability to interact in a positive manner, ensuring greater cooperation and participation at school and in daily lives.

Improving the children's health, happiness and quality of life motivates us! And the children love it :)

Music therapy is a tool to help calm repetitive and involuntary movements in children with cerebral palsy. Millan Fevriere "slows down" to listen to the music.

A senior band performance. Showcasing their talents is a great motivator!

The Senior Band performs at hotels, cruise ships and charity events. Performing encourages band members to co-operate with each other. Through music the audience sees the children's abilities and not the disabilities. 

THE BOYS TRAINING CENTRE is a residential establishment for at risk boys aged 10 to 17. All of the boys are wards of court. For some, their families cannot care for them, and others have committed offences.

The band playing at the local church. Learning what it takes to be a good citizen is an important part of the boys’ stay at BTC. Music has an important role.

The excitement and and anticipation of going out to perform is a great motivator for the discipline of practice. The applause and praise does wonders for self-esteem and satisfaction in a job well done, transforming these young lives.

The Band playing at Youthfest. 

The Drug Awareness and Internet Abuse program helps prepare the boys for when they leave the Centre. Police officers, doctors and experts in the field discuss the social, health and legal consequences of using drugs and the unwise use of the internet.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP AT THIS TIME

The Covid crisis has devastated our fund raising. Normally, we have successfully funded a program that has truly changed lives. A small group of international volunteers organize fun lunches, charity golf days, concerts, yoga, Tai Chi and auctions. This year the only fundraising has been Yoga in St. Lucia and Tai Chi in England.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THESE CHILDREN - NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL!

All of the funding is by private supporters - there is no government assistance. This charity was inspired by Amy Winehouse, who spent many happy times in St. Lucia. The Amy Winehouse Foundation initially provided a grant which bought all the musical instruments and paid the salary of a music therapy teacher. The Foundation continues their support which meets about a quarter of the costs. The only expenses are the salary of the teacher, tee shirts for the bands, snacks for the children when performing and the tuning of the steelpan drums.  

Learn more about us by clicking on the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmMYhLIgSyU&t=18s

We ask for your help to ensure that Amy's Gift to St Lucia continues its life-changing, valuable work for the future. 

THANK YOU!