Jesus Cares Family Cottage

 

In Riseland, Tobago, close to Carnbee Village, is the "Jesus Cares Family Cottage", a long established care home for around 50 of Tobago's children, aged newborn - 18 years of age.  The children here are mostly victims of abuse, orphans, or have been rescued from parents with serious drug addictions. Many return to their families, or different relations, if conditions at home improve or someone offers to care for them. Others remain until aged 18, when the home's managers will try to find them employment and accommodation of their own. Recent arrivals included: twin girls aged 4 months rescued from a drug addicted mother; a 6 year old girl whose father is in prison, having murdered her mum and grandma...

 

Managed by the Kerr family team, supported by a few volunteer staff members and funded by donations, the home is registered and approved by local social services as a safe place of refuge. Money is always short (state help is inadequate in this developing country) hence the children often lack clothes, shoes, books, toys, beds, good mattresses and so on. But they do not want for love and friendship, a good christian upbringing, food or education - placements at free local government schools are found for the children, although providing the necessary uniforms and school books  can be hard 

 

We want to help the children of the Jesus Cares Family Cottage to have a better quality of life. We know that some of you will wish to help, whether or not you have booked your holiday in Tobago with us. Here are some of the ways you may help the children:

• search your attic, shed or garage for babies'/childrens'/teenagers' books (story books/educational welcome), clothing, shoes - including summer flip-flops (no winter clothes please!), toys, bed-sheets, baby food/formula (unopened and in date), diapers, baby lotion/powder and so on. Pack these in your holiday suitcases - even if just 1 or 2 small items - then contact us to arrange either your own delivery to the home, or our collection of the items from you while you are here in Tobago
•   contact us to find out what large items the home needs most at the present time - eg some visitors have preferred to visit local furniture shops to buy a bed, cot or mattress (shops in Tobago deliver to the home free of charge). We could facilitate the purchase and email you a picture of your gift being presented, or, if you are due to visit Tobago we can assist you to visit the home with a view to you deciding on your own choice of gift purchase

Glyn delivers visitor donated clothes & shoes

This doggy is great with kids!

Distribution of donated shoes

Leah talks to the kids

Volunteer gate security with a smile!

Xmas 2004 - the Lovick Family from the UK

donate a new TV to the children!