My International Contact-Liberty Foundation

  A couple weeks ago I was introduced to Delfena Mitchell from the Liberty Foundation while listening to podcasts on the World Forum Radio.   Ms. Mitchell is the Director of the Liberty Children’s Center in Belize.  My first question to her was concerning Jaden and how he was doing.  Jaden was 9-years-old when he came to the Liberty Children’s Home after experiencing years of child abuse.  He is now into his second year of receiving loving and nourishing care in a safe and welcoming environment.  He loves to play the drums, singing and dancing.  His teacher recently called Ms. Mitchell to let her know he is doing very well in school.

The sad part of this communication is the economic crisis in the United States and Europe has severely affected Liberty as they rely heavily on donations and much of their donors who can no longer help came from the US and UK.  In order to reduce expense and operate in an ever shrinking budget, they have had to cut their programs and staff.  Liberty no longer has their Parents as Teachers outreach program, and the preschool is in danger of closing so that the residential facility can survive.  Recently the government of Belize started to help with a monthly stipend but they are still operating with a very limited budget which has Ms. Mitchell scrambling to find ways to further reduce their expense and to find funding.

In response, I provided her with the Atlas Family Foundation website.  This foundation funds 16 grant opportunities per year and I am hoping this is a resource that will support continued services for the children at the Liberty Children’s Home.  Ms. Mitchell, like all of us in the early childhood field wants to continue adding value to the lives of as many children as possible.

There is an opportunity for everyone to show their support to the Liberty Foundation.  If you have old cell phones sitting around your home you can send them to:  Liberty Foundation, 67 Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7LN.  Envirofone will recycle your unwanted phones and give the Liberty Children’s Home a donation in the process.  To spread the word about supporting the Liberty Children’s Home you can also post this information on your FaceBook page, giving your friends and colleagues an opportunity to participate in this opportunity to support quality services for at risk children.  You can learn more about the Liberty Foundation at www.libertyfoundation.org.uk.