fp Turks and Caicos

The Nissi House was forced to relocate after Hurricane Ike caused significant damage to their home. Now they are being split in two locations, which are not ideal for the children and caregivers, as well as not allowing for the placement of further children needing assistance.

Tanis Wake-Forbes, Chairperson of the project has spearheaded the activities along with her husband Art Forbes and daughter Roxann Wake-Forbes, to raise enough funds to build a new home for the children. She has developed a creative strategy to allow for individuals or groups who are interested in helping to “Donate-A-Room” to the home.

The home will provide a 20-bed facility with additional overnight emergency rooms along with a living/media room, dining and kitchen area, computer/study room and caregiver accommodations. The home will be located in Chalk Sound on a 0.97 acre lot which has been generously provided by the Turks and Caicos Government.

In its first fundraising effort, UK philanthropist Diane Hern, an owner of a vacation home at Grace Bay Club, invited Mark Durliat to a friendly 1 mile swim along Grace Bay. Mark jumped in off the pier in front of the Seven Stars Resort, while Diane started her swim 1 mile away at Club Med. The two gave each other high fives as they crossed each other in front of the Grace Bay Club about half-way along.

After their ambitious swim, the two were met in front of the Grace Bay Resorts beach by cheering family, friends and interested onlookers. Cheers were best heard from the children, who currently live in the temporary locations and anxious about the prospect of the new home.

The children were so excited about the event and grateful to Mark and Diane who helped bring awareness to their cause. In a show of their appreciation, Mark and Diane were presented with glittery hand-made thank you cards from several of the children. Mark and Diane played around with the children and the energy was a positive one by all who attended.

The Provo Children’s Home Build Group are looking to raise One Million USD for the project. It is a private charity and compromises some of Provo’s moist accomplished professionals and businesspersons, all of whom have graciously donated their time to the project.

They are off to a good start already, “I am pleased to announce that our Group has secured commitments for funds totaling $150,000 and we can also announce that Grace Bay Resorts is the first company to sign up for our ”Donate-a-Room” program.”

“We are happy to help a group where we know they are serious, and the funds will go directly to helping the children of Providenciales.” Mark Durliat

For more information on the project or how you can help, pledge forms and information are available on their website: www.pch.tc.