Food parcels to support disabled people in Tobago

Functions

13 minutes ago

THE Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled People International (TTDPI) will distribute food parcels to people with genuine cases of disability in Tobago on April 25 and 26.

TTDPI chairman Kerwin Thomas told Newsday that the food drive is part of the initiative to revitalize the organization’s Tobago branch.

He said the project is a collaboration between TTDPI and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thomas said they have already targeted 50 people for hurdles.

“There is a lot of demand for the food drive,” he said. “People with disabilities don’t get food cards because they get a $2,000 subsidy.”

Thomas said many people with disabilities are unable to make ends meet.

“As it is now, with the high cost of living, it’s quite difficult for someone to survive on $2,000 a month, with all the other expenses he or she has to incur.

“So we feel it’s necessary to provide that level of support to members of our community – not that we don’t want to teach someone to fish, but there are people who just can’t catch fish at all. Some of them are bedridden. Some are in wheelchairs, cannot move and depend on external support.”

He said the organization’s board met last year with the Minister of Health, Welfare and Social Protection Dr. Faith BYisrael and Assistant Secretary Sonny Craig to begin identifying the number of people with disabilities in Tobago.

They hope to meet them again during this visit.

“We hope to create a database so that the individuals we have identified can become members of the TTDPI. We also hope to look at some of the needs of people in Tobago when it comes to disability issues.”

For more information: 228-8115 or 388-6734