Founder and Principal Ms. Marcia SmithAt our second Quarterly Executive Board Members (EBMs) meeting held on Sunday May 19, 2024 the Education Committee presented a sterling report on and about a new potential partnership school named ‘Gifted Hands Learning Center for Special Needs’, located in Campbellville, Georgetown Guyana.
The report presented was supported by many months of careful analytical study, repeated hands-on visits, and telephone interviews with the Founder and Principal of the school, Ms. Marcia Smith.
The CAAAI Education Committee Chair, Dr. Trevin London and other committee members concluded that ‘Gifted Hands’ is the ideal partnership edifice, with the values and character in keeping with Mr. Pinkerton’s legacy of truly “giving back”.
The Gifted Hands is a school for physically disabled, and mentally challenged Guyanese children and young adults. The school is managed by a zestful and charismatic visionary with a hands-on leadership style, who prefers the simple name of 'Ms. Marcia', who works every day in the dedicated interest and security of her 20-students, most of whom are unable to do simple tasks for themselves.
Marcia Smith has embarked on this labor of love since April 2012 when she started her school for disabled children. Ms. Marcia is currently assisted by one other teacher, and two temporary volunteers.
An in-depth look into the Gifted Hands self-paced, repetitive curriculum reveals that a typical day for the students includes dance and motion as a form of physical education; watching Television to increase attentiveness and cognition; Project Building time when students work together in groups; and emphasis is also placed on gardening and other outdoor activities.
The Executive Board on recommendation of the Education Committee voted yes unanimously, and is pleased to welcome the Gifted Hands Learning Center for Special Needs to the CAAAI school adoption partnership program.
Submitted by,
Dr. Aubrey F. Bentham, President - CAAAI
