En ToTo says thanks

SCHOOL supervisors, principals and teachers were given tokens of appreciation by co-founders of En ToTo Michael and Joanne Blackman on Wednesday.

Speaking with Newsday at an appreciation ceremony at En ToTo’s headquarters located at Broome Street West, Four Roads, Diego Martin, Michael Blackman said he and his wife were elated that First Citizens Bank contributed $20,000 to launch the organisation’s personal development workshop and also to facilitate the performance incentive programme for students.

En ToTo is a non-governmental organisation which has been working with children for the past 11 years, ensuring they are equipped with stationery to write the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam.

Blackman said all stakeholders are being appreciated because they were always willing to help the organisation achieve its mandate. This year, 6000 SEA students received stationery kits.

He said the organisation is geared towards the holistic development of youth through various programmes and interventions, by changing the social landscape of the country while dealing with youth on a personal level.

“We are working towards empowering and giving children the skills to deal with the challenges of going through secondary school and life beyond. While most of the time students come to us, we also have programmes in schools as well as at our head office. This is not just our home, it is their home as well and our programmes are designed to bring the children together while we have a one-on-one relationship with them.”

Blackman said it is their hope to create a platform to sit and interact with children. He said all children have challenges and they exhibit their behaviours in different ways.

“There are those who are stronger than others and are in control of the way they act out. But there are those who do not have the skills and will just lash out. It has to do with the home environment and the community.

“Apart from their challenges, one of our aims is to develop leaders and managers. Our theme has always been, ‘It is ok to do right’. We have decided to develop that potential in children who may not have had the opportunity to be exposed to a lot of the stuff that we are bringing to them.”