Cattleya Education Center - Centro Educativo Cattleya

I want to pass on this letter and citation to all of the members of the Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja, and say I am so proud of what we have accomplished in the eight and half months we were Chartered in 2023-24. Without the work that each member has done this would not have been possible.

I also want to thank every person who has believed in us, supported us and volunteered with us as you have also been a part of making this possible

Angela Claire Bjoroy-Karlsen
Charter President 2023-2025

This is the letter I received with the Citation:

Dear 2023-24 Club President, ��

Congratulations! Your club has earned the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2023-24.

This past year, your club demonstrated a commitment to achieve its goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.��I encourage you to display it proudly to celebrate your club’s achievement.

��Once again, congratulations on a successful year as club president!

��Sincerely,
�Gordon R. McInally
�2023-24 RI President

Dear followers! After a short break for our staff and students the school year will keep on.

We appreciate that you follow us on Facebook and that many of you like what we say about our fabulous center. Your support means a lot to us!
If you enjoy our content and find it interesting, please share it with your Facebook society as well. Sharing will wake up the algorithms and push the information out to areas of interest.

Why? As you might know, our center depends entirely on funds and sponsorship, and we need to reach out to potential sponsors and funders to keep it going. Hopefully, we can expand to include more students in the Bay Islands in the future!

Thank you in advance!

Yours in Cattleya
Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen
President
Board of Directors

Art is a way for all of us to develop. It allows us to let our inner voice speak and fill our thoughts with thoughts that fill our canvas, our music, or our literature. Some of us create, and others enjoy the creations.
Join us as we create an artistic arena for adults with special needs on Roatan!
When we are consistent in our vision for a future then dreams become reality

If you ant to donate:
https://makeitcount.kartra.com/page/Q5B143

"Drop the paint!" Art is a way for us all to develop. It allows us to let our inner voice speak and fill our thoughts with thoughts that fill our canvas, our music, or our literature. Some of us create, and others enjoy the creations.Join us as we create an artistic arena for adults with special needs on Roatan!   ....

Come join us for the last event of the rotary year 23-24 we are having:

A special Activity day for Adults with Disabilities. Saturday June 29.

The event is from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Cattleya Education Center in French Harbour.

This time we will be learning how to do drop painting by a local artist Mr Gildo Silvestri.

If you are a parent of/ or may know of someone over the age of 16 with a disability, please come and join in the fun.

It is important that you sign up for the event so that we are able to make sure we have the equipment needed for everyone to participate and make their own painting.

As we always do we will have a little snack at the end of the event

To sign up please use our link: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/17816/Event/activity-day-for-adults-with-disabilities-1
Or contact us by
email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +504 9949-9114

On Friday, June 14, we had Science Day for our students. Our director, Elizabeth Penã has this to say about the benefits of science in our education:

"Science experiments for kids have several important objectives.

Experiments encourage children's natural curiosity and motivate them to explore and discover how the world around them works. Through experimentation, children develop critical thinking skills, observation skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Through experiments, we don't just learn theoretical concepts, we apply them in a practical and tangible way. This hands-on approach helps children to ask questions, make hypotheses, experiment, and analyze results, following the scientific method.

Experiments at home create a space where imagination and curiosity come together with science. Science experiments for kids are a fun and educational way to learn about the world around us."

If you want to financially sponsor our activities and let our students continue to build upon their abilities to achieve a higher social value, do not hesitate to contact us!

CEDICA CATTLEYA EDUCATIONAL CENTER
Newsletter Spring 2024

PRESIDENTS CORNER
Dear donors and all that follow us and our important work of educating children with disability!
As the president of the board of directors, I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you! Your support has been instrumental in our journey to give our children a higher social value and transform disability into an ability. I am proud to be at the helm of this organization, which is a testament to your belief in our cause.

Our dedicated staff, with their unwavering commitment, guides our students to take one step before another toward their goals. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness students who arrive at our center without the ability to speak, and then, just a half year later, they are singing songs. This progress is one out of many, a testament to our staff's hard work and dedication.
We have also started a program for adults with intellectual disability, perfectly orchestrated by Kelly Fernandez. That is a slight extension of our training.

Diagnosis and assessment are vital to tailoring our training. On March 29, we were fortunate to have Dr Robert Knapp, who practices frequently at Clinica Esperanza, assess some of our students. I will thank Dr Knapp and the clinic for this essential support!

However, the reality is that our center alone cannot meet the needs of The Bay Islands. There are numerous individuals with disabilities in this category, some hidden, others without any form of stimulation. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that everyone, including their next of kin, has equal opportunities for training and knowledge.

Educating disabled persons should not depend on charity and funds from persons or organizations, but that’s the situation in Honduras, despite the fact that the law requires high standards for their treatment.
We are looking into the feasibility of expanding our center to meet these beautiful people's needs throughout their lifespan. It will take quite an effort, but we are willing to walk down that lane on a journey to a better life for all of them!
Your continued support is crucial in this endeavor.

Our newly formed board of directors, with their wealth of experience in decision-making, accountancy, and fundraising, brings our organization a high level of expertise. Many of them have served with distinction at Cattleya, and all are respected professionals in their respective fields. Thanks to everyone that makes the wheel keeps turning! Have a great spring!

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024 - 2026:
Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen President
Connie Silvestri Vice President
Kamille Thompson Treasurer
Mary Vidotto Secretary
Steve Guillen Vocal
Angela Szuch Fundraising/ sponsorship chair
Kerry Tichi Honorary/ Advisory member

10th ANNIVERSARY 2024
It has been ten years since the founders, mostly parents of children with Down syndrome, established the center that we proudly are a part of today. We will celebrate that with an event in August of this year with activities, entertainment, and fundraising. We are currently working on organizing committees and making plans. What day it will happen will come to you soon, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible!

ROTARY SUPPORT
I will also use this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja for their cooperation and support of the arts and crafts days for our adults with disabilities. I sincerely hope they can keep up with their consistent help and support in the future as well!


FACTS ABOUT THE CENTER IN THE SPRING OF 2024

There are currently 33 students enrolled, 11 girls and 22 boys.
Staff:
Director:
Elizabeth Peña, teaches mathematics and music in the area of directing

Teachers:
Mahely Saved Guardado teaches art, language and communication
Katia Leva Bernardez teaches occupational therapy and physical education
Kelly Fernandez teaches practical activities and life skills for adult students

Assistance:
Cherly Williams current cleaner
Suzi Salgado (absent)

Working areas:
Language stimulation, Numerical notion, Language and communication, Arts, Music, Occupational therapy, Coordination and focus Attention and concentration.

SALE OF ROSES
FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUNDRAISING
OF FUNDS

Our initiative to educate people with disabilities is solely funded by generous contributions like yours. By purchasing our roses, you are directly supporting our mission to provide quality education and enhance the social value of our students. Your help is instrumental in transforming disability into ability. Thank you!

Each rose will have a cost
of 150 lps place your orders
to the next number

ORDERS TO:
9519-5303

This is what it's all about. Using all kinds of means to make ability out of the disability. And art is a great way to do it!
(Photo: Elizabeth Penã)

Educating disabled persons should not be depending on charity and funds from persons or organizations, but that’s the situation in Honduras.

We are so thankful to everyone that helps us on the journey to create a higher social value for our intellectually disabled students, and we want to thank Lynne Milsaps and her family for donating six boxes with art supplies to our center. Art is an exceptional way for the students to express themselves! Thank you!

Beautiful people of CEDICA Cattleya!

Our education of students with intellectual disabilities and the management of Cattleya Educational Center is solely dependent on funds. One of our sponsors is Island Shipping, a maritime cargo freight company founded in Bay Islands, Honduras. We appreciate the company and their support, which was given this time during a ceremony at their main office on February 22, shoulder to shoulder with other relevant organizations. Thank you so much!

We are happy to announce that our board of directors for CEDICA Cattleya Educational Center has been considerably strengthened with more qualified personnel. The first meeting with the new members took place in the center on March 4. Topics included the introduction of the members, the staff, and the educational method.
The board is ready and motivated to work for a high level of performance in order to give the students a higher social value as we walk into the future! Please join us in welcoming the following old and new board members:
Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen President
Connie Silvestri Vice President
Kamille Thompson Treasurer
Mary Vidotto Secretary
Steve Guillen Vocal
Angela Szuch Fundraising/ sponsorship chair
Kerry Tichi Honorary/advisory member

The Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja, and Cattleya Training Center are organising an Art n' Crafts day. We will be painting with acrylics. We will also have food for all the participating Adults.

If you would like to assist as a volunteer, please contact us on [email protected] or contact us on WhatsApp +504 9731-6476

We are looking forward to seeing you!

A new school year is about to be started. Prior to each year, the director and the teachers have an informal meeting with the parents.

Besides introducing the school staff, two board members of Cattleya were presented, the incoming President, Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen, and the Vice President (and funding member), Connie Silvestri.
It is essential to bond and do some icebreaking. Therefore, it started with a funny memory game, including everyone.

The director, Elizabeth Pena, gave information about the administration, student's and parents' activities, the class schedules, and the economy.

The president of the Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja, Angela Claire Bjoroy-Karlsen, informed about their dental hygiene program, where they visit schools and teach children to brush their teeth properly. It includes a donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste. It is of utmost importance that the parents are comfortable with the program and that participation in it is voluntary.

CATTLEYA BOARD MEMBER NEEDED!
Are you one of those who want to participate voluntarily in the effort to create a higher social value for disabled persons at Cattleya Training Center?

We have a vacant position on our board as a Vocal. A member who has the right to speak and vote. The position will also cover any other member’s position, except the president, when needed.
No experience with disabilities is required, only a devotion to the effort to create a better life for them.

We can offer you a place in our board community with an interface to the director and the teachers at the training center. We will have you with us when we develop it and make sure that it is the state-of-the-art training provided by our skilled teachers.
Join us on our journey!

If interested, or if you have any questions, send an email to [email protected]. Or call our Vice President Connie Silvestri at +504 9949-9114.
Hope to hear from you!
And if you are not up to it, please share it with someone who might be! Thank you!

Friends of Cattleya!
Our training center is open for the registration of new students with disability. Contact the director, Elizabeth on +504 9519-5303.
Spread the word!

Everyone can be a part

The Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja is doing a 3 Island 3 Beach cleanup on Friday January 26th on The Bay Islands.

And we are inviting you to participate regardless of which of the three islands you are on.

Roatan the Cleanup crew will meet at 7:45 am by the entrance to Mahogany Bay, or directly at Brick Bay for 08:00 am We will be cleaning the Mangroves at BrickBay contact [email protected] for future information or WhatsApp +504 9731-6476 We are partnering with BICCU

Utila will meet at 10:00 am Big Bite beach Contact person is Angela Scott WatsApp +1(360)239-7149 for more information.

Guanaja The Cleanup crew will meet at 08:45 am in front of the PPYG office in Savannah Bight. We will be cleaning Nursery Beach Contact Mack Bennett at WhatsApp +504 8941-7822 for further information We are partnering with the Youth Group.

Come join us and end your week with the great feeling of having done something to help better the environment on The Bay Islands.

We usually end our Cleanups, sharing a meal after and if you would like to join us, places will be decided on the day.

It is important you bring your water bottle, and wear sunscreen or something that covers you, a hat and sensible shoes/ boots.

CARNETS - BENEFITS FOR THE DISABLED

Thanks to the Bay Islands' governor, Dr. Hugo Soler and the comprehensive health coordinator for General Directorate of Development for people with disabilities, Dr. Fernando Jose Garcia Diaz, from the mainland Honduras, the majority of students attending our learning center now have carnets! Carnets de Persona Con Discapacidad are official cards identifying someone has an official diagnosis/ disability. These carnets provide them with discounts of 20-50% on a variety of health care, transportation, lodging/ restaurant meals and entertainment expenses.

Cattleya's Center was a whirlwind of activity on this special day where families and students either received their long awaited cards or were able to start the application process to obtain one. We are so thankful for our head teacher/director of center, Elizabeth Pena, who worked so diligently to make this day the success that it was!!

Carnets:
1. 25 % in urban land transportation in bus mobility
2. 25 in interurban land transportation in the form of buses
3. 30 % in air and maritime services on national routes
4. 50% in the rates of public entertainment, such as: cinemas, theaters, stadiums, or others
5. 20% in the purchase of pharmaceutical medications, with the respective medical prescription
6. 20% for general medical consultations and 25% for specialized medical consultations
7. 20% in surgical intervention services
8. 20% In services offered in hospitals and private clinics
9. 25% in dentistry, ophthalmology services, radiological clinical examinations, and all computerized analysis services, prostheses or other equipment
10. 20% in any type of hotels regardless of their category
11. 20% in individual consumption of meals in restaurants according to the classification established by the Honduran Institute of Tourism
12. 20% on musical instruments