Update from Topaza Children’s Centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generous UWI grant awarded to the Topaza Children’s centre has been put to good use.  The centre is struggling financially with no funding coming from the state for several years to help support children sent there from the courts.  Topaza relies mostly on donations and sponsorship of children to keep the home open so this very generous grant is very welcome to help the financial stability of the centre.

The majority of the grant was spent on a new minibus for the centre.  This arrived in July and having reliable transport will help with all the activities of the centre.

The home aims to continue to provide nutritious meals for the children and become more self-sufficient in food production so there are several agricultural projects underway.

The building of the cowshed is partially complete and once this is finished, two dairy cows will arrive to provide milk for the centre.  A field has already been prepared for cattle grazing and most of the winter food for the cows has also been bought.  There are plans to buy sows so pork can also be included on menus.  The vegetable garden has been improved and expanded to increase the amount produced.

The children are involved with their farm and have had training on caring for the animals and garden but duties are restricted at the moment due to the Covid-19 crisis.