T21, Next Chapter partner ahead of International Day of Charity

Kesrene Estrella-Dabrio remembers the words that changed her life. 
It was 16 years ago when the first-time mother had just learned that her baby boy, Josiah, had Down syndrome. 

"I will always remember the advice I received from a nurse at the hospital," Estrella-Dabrio said. "She told me it was like you were planning a trip to Italy and it's a beautiful place, but your train got off in Holland. Holland is also a beautiful place; look at Holland and see what it has to offer. That advice just changed everything. I was able to see my son and tell him that his mommy is here."

Now, Estrella-Dabrio and her team at T21 NPO —  a non-profit aimed at advocating for the rights and well-being of those with Down syndrome in the Cayman Islands — are doing what they can to provide help to others. That includes partnering with Camana Bay's Next Chapter to offer a series of educational events and resources for those with Down syndrome and their families.

"We have been working on this for years," said Desiree Jacob, mother of 12-year-old Jefferson, who serves as T21 NPO's legal counsel and director and joined Estrella-Dabrio to help bring the organisation to life. "There is a small community of around 200 persons with Down syndrome in the Cayman Islands, and there has never been anything officially established. Hence, we thought it would be good to build a network and support system for parents and to raise awareness for Down syndrome."

T21 NPO wanted to find organisations that would support its mission to end the stigma surrounding Down syndrome, educate the public and give support and raise funds to help families. Next Chapter was happy to step in to assist, according to assistant manager Sydney Solomon.

"Next Chapter aims to be a platform and ensure maximum exposure for this very worthy organisation," Solomon said. "This is all about making a difference in the lives of those affected in our community."

The official launch of the partnership between T21 NPO and Next Chapter was held on 21 July. The public had a chance to learn more about Down syndrome, meet with T21 NPO directors and board and hear about the new partnership and future events. 

A monthly talk series, aimed at helping people understand Down syndrome and providing resources for those with Down syndrome and their families, will take place through October, ending with a final session and fundraiser.  

Next Chapter will also explore ways to support T21 NPO, including taking over the current book club and creating a youth book club that includes adults and children with Down syndrome. In addition, it plans to build a T21 NPO corner in the store for books and products relevant to Down syndrome and raise funds for the NPO.

Estrella-Dabrio and Jacob say they are grateful for the support from Next Chapter and are hoping for partnerships with other organisations on the island. They are also looking for volunteers to assist with various events. 

This article was originally published in the September/October2024 print edition of Camana Bay Times.