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Project Inclusion: Dedicated to Giving Persons with Disabilities a Helping Hand

Project Inclusion, a dynamic initiative aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities, is making significant strides in the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly on North Caicos. Founded by Nikki Handfield in partnership with Jeffry Desir of the Hangout Bar in South Dock, Providenciales, Project Inclusion is dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to make meaningful contributions to society.

Project Inclusion, a dynamic initiative aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities, is making significant strides in the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly on North Caicos. Founded by Nikki Handfield in partnership with Jeffry Desir of the Hangout Bar in South Dock, Providenciales, Project Inclusion is dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to make meaningful contributions to society.


The organization’s latest endeavor, a Pre-Father’s Day Fun Run/Walk held on Saturday, June 15, on Providenciales, aimed to support fathers, especially those with children who have disabilities. Handfield explained that one of the immediate goals is to establish a skills training center on North Caicos.


“The goal is to raise funds to start our skills learning center in North Caicos, for persons with disabilities and special needs,” Handfield said.


Project Inclusion began in 2021, initially collaborating with The Hope Foundation to stage a virtual concert. Although the organization paused its activities temporarily, the demand for their services remained strong. Once Handfield’s son graduated from high school, she had more time to focus on the initiative, leading to the official licensing of Project Inclusion in January.


“Since then, we’ve distributed 150 goody bags to persons with disabilities and special needs for Valentine's Day, and took a certified physical therapist to North Caicos, where she worked with four individuals with physical ailments,” Handfield continued.


Many parents in North Caicos expressed their desire for opportunities for their children to develop their skills. They observed that their children showed potential in various artistic and hands-on activities.


“Parents often say, ‘I feel like my child would be good at art because they love to draw, or my child loves drumming,’” Handfield noted.


In April, Project Inclusion hosted an appreciation dinner for 30 individuals with disabilities and their loved ones. This event reinforced the parents’ hopes that their children could learn new skills and develop their talents, as many of them are more artistically inclined rather than academically.


Handfield emphasized that the focus is now on making the skills training center on North Caicos a reality. This goal requires extensive fundraising efforts.


“We really want to establish a center in North Caicos to support the community with disabilities and special needs. Our theme has always been ‘seeing the ability, not the disability.’ You can't see their abilities if you never get to know them. Celebrating persons with disabilities allows us to see and hear their loved ones talk about their abilities, viewing them in a different light,” Handfield said.


Handfield also highlighted that there are already individuals in North Caicos willing to support the program by donating their services and tutoring individuals with disabilities.


“Once we get up and running, the plan is for volunteers to donate their services and tutor these individuals. We aim to determine how many people will come on board and then open it up to the community for other students as well,” Handfield explained.


Project Inclusion’s efforts are paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive environment for persons with disabilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. By focusing on individual abilities and providing opportunities for skill development, the organization is making a significant impact on the lives of those it serves.

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