EXPANDING special needs institutions in Jamaica is not an easy task.

It is a major responsibility which many have undertaken but have been discouraged to continue, given the level of investment it requires and little support received from potential investors.

For that reason, Antonica Gunter-Gayle, director and principal of Early Stimulation Plus (ESP) – which caters to children aged three to eight with developmental needs and learning disabilities — counts herself and the institution lucky.

She said the institution has been able to survive largely because of major investments by the Digicel Foundation which has, to date, invested over $70 million in ESP.

“Since inception, Digicel Foundation has invested over $70 million in Early Stimulation Plus in different phases. The various investments they made in our institution have assisted us in becoming more equipped and becoming more skilled with our special needs early childhood programme, our assessments, our physical therapy programme, our counselling and, most of all, constructing our branch located in Orange Bay, Portland, through which we are now able to assist others outside of the Corporate Area,” Gunter-Gayle said in a recent interview.

“Digicel Foundation has given us great support and helped to transform the sector. I am really excited about the partnerships they have forged with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. They have done much to transform the lives of people with disabilities. I really appreciate it,” she continued.

The Portland branch was done at a cost of approximately $30 million.

One of Digicel Foundation’s most recent investments in ESP came through funds raised from last year’s 5K, which pulled in a total of $6.9 million.

“ESP received approximately $500,000, which was used to train parents and staff in the areas of speech and occupational therapy,” Gunter-Gayle said.

The institution is among the 12 beneficiaries targeted this year, and it has already started budgeting for the funds it expects to be donated.

“Many of the parents for the 116 children we cater to are unemployed and unable to pay for the expenses of their children. From the upcoming funds we will get, we plan to assist our needy special needs children with scholarships, get more specialised chairs and transportation assistance,” the ESP head said.

Gunter-Gayle pointed out that while support from the private sector and other bodies is critical, it is equally important that special needs administrators ensure that good use is made of the investments.

“Administrators have to be compassionate about what they are doing in special needs institutions. Always ask the private sector for help, and prove to them that you are responsible to help your organisation. There’s help out there, administrators just have to seek the help.”

The fourth staging of the Digicel 5K Run for Special Needs will be held this Saturday, October 10, 2015 in downtown, Kingston. It is being billed the ‘IMAGINE’ run, and will get started at 7:00 pm.

First held in 2012, the night run was designed to raise awareness, funding and quality of life for Jamaica’s special needs community. Over the years it has contributed to the construction and improvement of eight special needs institutions, including the STEP Centre, Naz Children’s Centre, Genesis Academy, Early Stimulation Plus, the Liberty Academy, JAID in St Mary and Trinity Primary. The Foundation now aims to build an additional two special needs institutions over the next 12 months — one in Lyssons, St Thomas and the other in Montego Bay, St James.

Other than ESP, this year’s beneficiaries are the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Genesis Academy, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, The STEP Centre, Liberty Academy, Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Jamaica Society for the Blind, Mustard Seed Communities (Jacob’s Ladder), Naz Children’s Centre and Special Olympics Jamaica.

Participants can register for the race at www.runningeventsja.com.