Born in the Turks and Caicos Islands, I recently returned to the islands after having been educated in England. I graduated from the University of Southbank, London, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (B.Sc.) in 2002 and furthered my education and training at the master’s level in Developmental Psychology (M.Sc.) at the University of Sussex in 2005. With my training and work experiences, I specialize in working with children and adolescents with a particular focus on their development.

As a Psychologist within the Counseling and Psychological Services, Ministry of Health and Human Services I provide counseling and therapeutic services to those who have experienced emotional difficulties and psychological trauma. Within this role, I also act as the clinical supervisor for the children’s home and liaise, train and counsel both staff and children.

The Provo Children’s Home is a cause very close to my heart. Having spent time in the UK working in children’s home, I have been able to gain first hand experience in the operations of the homes and helping in the development of the children placed there. One of the main observations during my time in this role is the resilience of children who have come from difficult backgrounds. Despite their experiences, with nurturing and support, children are able to grow, develop and recover from often traumatic lives. The significant changes and progress that is seen in the children and carers further drives my enthusiasm in the project of building a purpose built home that will harness and allow therapeutic growth of those in the home. Being able to see these changes, it reinforces the need for this home which in turn will provide stability, a better standard of living and care facilities for children in need resident in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

My name is Jaime Hedges and I came to Provo with my sister Kelly as a volunteer a year and a half ago. It was only supposed to be temporary Caribbean adventure. Let me tell you why we stayed.

First of all we have fallen in love with the kids that are in the home and are thrilled about what their futures will now hold..

Secondly we feel that we are faced with an opportunity to get Provo Children’s Home to a place where we can help not only the kids now, but in the years to come we can help many other deserving children as well.

I have seen first hand how once a child is safe and in a loving environment it can change their world. They just need an opportunity.

Here is one example of many … we had a young boy come to us in September 2007. He was 11 and did not even know his letters, numbers or recognize his name. He was very shy and kept to himself most of the time. After a lot of sweat and tears over the past year and a half, we picked up his report card last week and he was number one in his grade five class. I can certainly tell you there was some celebrating, and lots of hugs and kisses.

It is important to know that all acts of kindness big and small can change their lives. For example Cable and Wireless donated new sheets and towels to the kids. The next morning they said (boy Miss Jaime you know you sleep better in your own sheets, and you feel cleaner using your own towels.) Their rooms were spotless for months as they did not want to mess up the new stuff.

People have brought stuff from near and far for the children and all of it has been well loved. We have been blessed not only by local kindness but many tourists also think of us when they are here on their holidays. All of last year’s school supplies were generously donated by some very thoughtful travellers.

Unfortunately after a particularly active hurricane season specifically Hurricane Ike, we had to leave our home and split into two households ­ as nobody could accommodate all of us. Half of the children live with my sister and I in the special needs school where we teach and the other half currently live in a private residence.

Due to our current situation we cannot take in any more children. I am constantly told that there are other children who are living in conditions that are appalling and need to be in a home like ours. It is heartbreaking to myself and the other staff members that there are so many we are unable to help because of logistic reasons.

Lucky for us the Build Group has agreed to come forward and help us build a facility that will change the lives of so many children in TCI.

Our goals for 2009 are fairly lofty, but certainly attainable. We wish to secure ongoing help with out operating budget, start raising community awareness and have our new facility built.

As you can imagine alone this would be a huge undertaking but with help we can raise both awareness and funds. We desperately need this facility so that we never have to turn a child away.

In closing we do have ups and downs. We have wonderful moments with silliness and laughter and we have battles about chores and homework. Everyday is not easy, nor will there be happy endings for all children, but the most important is that these children be given the chance.

Right now we have a budding ballerina, a soccer star, a chief, an engineer, a rapper, and a hairstylist. And this is why we are here to help give children in Turks and Caicos a chance.