Success Stories
Real Results!
Those featured on this page included: Loik Charles and Jahaida Dorival. Additional stories will be added when available
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the following agencies who also make significant
contributions to our success stories.
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Loik Charles was born a premature baby on July 31, 1995, during Hurricane Marilyn. As a result of complications and too much oxygen, he developed Retinopathy of Prematurity and is register blind.
Because of this, his parents, unsure of what to do, enrolled him into a school for children with special needs, called the Alpha Centre. This was not ideal as, amongst children with developmental delays, he was reported to be disruptive and rebellious. Shortly after, they were introduced to Sister Tina Alexander at Lifeline Ministries, who assisted in securing a place and a dedicated teacher at the Montessori Centre for young Loik, raising funds from a wide variety of sources including a passing naval vessels crew! After graduating from preschool, Loik's parents along with Lifeline were able to find a primary school willing to enter the new territory of enrolling and educating a blind student, the Berean Christian Academy. While at the BCA, one teacher was given the task of receiving training in Braille and other special needs technology so as to provide Loik with the best experience possible. |
At grade six, he was able to take the Common Entrance exams, providing him with grades to attend high school. He came out as one of the top students in English in the country. When asked how he did it, he replied: “Believe it or not I read a lot!” And, it helped that his primary school had accessed / provided braille books for him
After meeting with a few schools, the Saint Mary's Academy finally agreed to accept Loik, thus beginning the secondary school journey. He was able to go straight through high school with the help of a dedicated support teacher, graduating in 2013, and completing the CSEC exams.
Loik then became the first blind student at the Dominica State College, graduating from the DSC with his Associate's Degree in Information Technology In 2016!
After a two-year hiatus, Loik finally received partial assistance from the Government of Dominica, as well as individual friends and NGOs including Lifeline Ministries, The Piton Foundation, and Ready Willing Enable, to attend University. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) also provided a full tuition scholarship of their own. Loik now holds a Bachelor of Art in Sociology with a Minor in Business Marketing from the UIW in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
Between volunteering and interning with both Lifeline Ministries and the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities, Loik is now trained as a helpline operator using his laptop and iPhone.
He also enjoys composing and making music, taking interest in several genres which dominate his culture.
He serves on the Board of Directors at the DAPD, and is undertaking Continuing Professional Education courses from the University of the West Indies. He is now looking to further his resume with a Master's degree in social work or special technology, as well as continuing to make an impact in the global community.
After meeting with a few schools, the Saint Mary's Academy finally agreed to accept Loik, thus beginning the secondary school journey. He was able to go straight through high school with the help of a dedicated support teacher, graduating in 2013, and completing the CSEC exams.
Loik then became the first blind student at the Dominica State College, graduating from the DSC with his Associate's Degree in Information Technology In 2016!
After a two-year hiatus, Loik finally received partial assistance from the Government of Dominica, as well as individual friends and NGOs including Lifeline Ministries, The Piton Foundation, and Ready Willing Enable, to attend University. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) also provided a full tuition scholarship of their own. Loik now holds a Bachelor of Art in Sociology with a Minor in Business Marketing from the UIW in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
Between volunteering and interning with both Lifeline Ministries and the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities, Loik is now trained as a helpline operator using his laptop and iPhone.
He also enjoys composing and making music, taking interest in several genres which dominate his culture.
He serves on the Board of Directors at the DAPD, and is undertaking Continuing Professional Education courses from the University of the West Indies. He is now looking to further his resume with a Master's degree in social work or special technology, as well as continuing to make an impact in the global community.
Loik graduation day, University of the Incarnate Word,
with the Directors of Willing, Ready, Enable. |
Loik Charles, and others, receiving certificates upon
completing Helpline Training certification. |
