Jaden’s Foundation, a new special needs organisation, was recently launched at Kamuni Creek, Santa Mission.
The foundation seeks to be a voice for persons with disabilities of all kinds throughout Guyana.
CEO of the organization Michelle Playter has always had a passion for helping people from all walks of life but is just realizing another one of her bigger purposes beside raising her sons: advocating for the voiceless.
The foundation was named after the older of Michelle’s sons, Jaden. The 14-year-old has special needs and has had to rely on her all his life. She said that sometime ago, while in church one day, she got the idea to do more to help people like her son.
“I wanted to find something with purpose. I have already accomplished the things I wanted to do in the fashion industry. I went to church one Sunday morning and I was praying about it. And, I heard a voice saying to me that I have always helped people who are healthy, why not open a foundation and help persons like Jaden,” shared Michelle. The model and singer debuted her “God’s Not Done With Us” single as the theme song for the organization. The song serves as a reminder of God’s never failing love and strength, which Michelle said made it fitting for the occasion.
Life, she said, should not be stopped because something has come up, as it is about adjusting and readjusting. “Who knows if COVID is here to stay?” she asked, wondering whether the world was going to come to a standstill. She thinks people need to understand how to adjust their lives around it.
Michelle said since the launch of the organization, people have been reaching out to share their stories. One woman shared that she has always heard of organizations seeking to be of assistance to others but was not too keen on sharing with them as she believed they could not possibly understand her situation. Having noted that Michelle has a child with a disability, she felt that finally there was someone who could relate to her.
Owing to COVID and not wanting to have her boys exposed to the virus, Michelle kept a small party with a cake to celebrate the occasion with Jaden and those within her immediate circle.
Later that day, she along with members of the organization and several media operatives headed to Kamuni Creek, where the launch was formalized through the distribution of 60 hampers to families living there.
“As a mother with a special-needs child, I want to help other mothers… learn how to take care of and understand their children,” Michelle said. “We will have workshops to empower women.”
The people on her team, she shared, are humble and patient persons. Currently, Jaden’s Foundation has 12 team members who Michelle carefully selected.
Already, Jaden’s Foundation is planning a Christmas Drive for the Kwakwani community. Jaden’s Foundation looks to not only providing workshops but other necessities such as food hampers, clothing, medications and building houses.
The foundation is currently seeking a meeting with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson to collaborate in future ventures relating to special needs children.
Michelle pointed out that many other countries have run with the initiative to provide special care for children and other people like Jaden when it comes to health care among other things. She anticipates the day, Guyana will become more developed in this capacity.
Jaden’s Foundation is currently working on a website and Instagram page which she hopes to have up and running soon.
