GOVERNMENT broke its promises to help fund the move of mentally challenged residents from Hamilton to Dockyard three years ago, according to the executive director of the Hope Homes organisation.

Ellen Dougas, founder of Hope Homes, was responding to stories in the Mid-Ocean News in recent weeks highlighting the plight of 14 residents shown to be living in sub-par conditions at Lefroy House.

Although Mrs. Douglas said she harboured no ill will towards the Government, she added that on more than one occasion Ministers had not delivered on their promises.

The residents were moved to Lefroy House in Sandys from the charity's Brunswick Street headquarters to allow the Hamilton premises to be renovated. "In 2001, before our move to Dockyard, we had correspondence in reference to the move from the Ministry of Health & Family Services," Mrs. Douglas said. "Government agreed to pay for trucks to move everything from Hamilton to Lefroy House. All this can be substantiated by reports. They had a financial obligation but we ended up having to pay for it ourselves."

Government neglect did not end with the failure to provide trucks, as Mrs. Douglas explained. "The previous Minister (Nelson Bascome) said money had been appropriated for renovations of Hope Homes here on Cedar Avenue, but that never materialised."

Mrs. Douglas spoke to representatives from Works & Engineering shortly after Hurricane Fabian destroyed the roof at Lefroy House, forcing the mentally challenged residents to move to the smaller adjacent building.

"They told me that an estimate had to be done and a proposal had to be made, and they had to wait on that before repairs could be done," she said. "To be honest, they were quite sympathetic. They had to wait on instructions from their supervisors for approval, who were dragging their feet."

While the Government, in particular Health Minister Patrice Minors, has been blamed in part for the delay in repairing hurricane damage at the main House, Mrs. Douglas expressed gratitude rather than anger towards the PLP.

"We don't blame Government," she said. "We thank Government because they have us up there rent-free. We still have to get our food and everything. But we are still grateful."

In last week's Mid Ocean News, Shadow Health Minister Michael Dunkley asserted that both the Government and the Hope Homes administration "share the blame" for the poor conditions at the Sandys property.

Now Hope Homes is asking the public to help raise the necessary $1.5 million for renovations at their Brunswick Street premises.

Both Mrs. Douglas and special projects manager/spokesperson Ben Nunn took issue with the recent spate of media coverage highlighting the dilapidated state of Lefroy House. Mr. Nunn cited the description of the small building adjacent to the main House as a "cottage" as an example.

"It's not a cottage they live in, it's a large two-storey house," he said. "It's a misnomer. Yes, compared to that huge building up there it's smaller, but it's still a handsome-sized house." According to Mr. Nunn, the sleeping arrangements at the residence are "up to code", with three adult men to each bedroom.

Mrs. Douglas responded to the backlash resulting from photographs published in the Mid-Ocean News, in particular one memorable shot of a man sleeping on a mattress on the floor. She maintains that while some residents indeed sleep in this manner, they are all perfectly comfortable.

"When we moved from the main house, each new room could only accomodate one bunk, so we took two mattresses and piled them one on top of another to make a bed," she explained. "They enjoyed that. They are bouncy and comfortable.

"The one patient pictured on the floor had become unmanageable. He was unhappy since the move and he had become violent and unmanageable. He is currently in Curtis Ward. His behaviour has deteriorated and now they want us to take him back."

Both Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Nunn attempted to dispel claims from sources that the residents live without a set daily schedule of activities. "They have a balanced programme," Mrs. Douglas said. "They do crafts for about six or eight hours each day, which we sell to raise money for renovations. In the morning we have assembly, then they do individual things, like language, reading, and writing. They do their chores and feed the pets. It's a balanced family here."

Mrs. Douglas claims that despite rumours of staff mistreatment, the administration has "not been neglectful. We give our staff guidelines to follow. They are under direct supervision."

Last week, a source close to the situation reported that the Lefroy House site supervisor, responsible for the welfare of residents, is paid $325 per week in cash, with no pension nor benefits.

Mr. Nunn, who has been involved with Hope Homes since its inception in 1983, was anxious to clear up any rumours that the charity has been irresponsible in ensuring their clients are comfortably housed.

"There is the impression that Hope Homes has been derelict in resolving matters," he said. "In actual fact, in 2001 we put together a renovations project. In 2002, Woodburne Associates compiled a report on conditions, and layed out a schedule along with a quantity survey. We've done all of our homework. Right now it's a matter of getting money."

According to Mr. Nunn, the move from Hamilton to Dockyard was difficult for the Hope Homes residents. In order to move these mentally challenged adults back to Brunswick Street, the charity needs to raise $1.5 million.

"They were moved involuntarily three years ago," Mr. Nunn said. "The facility was inadequate from the time they moved in. They were disassociated from their family unit. They weren't used to being there, and some of them have known Mrs. Douglas since they were five years old. Now we need $1.5 million to renovate a building that is over 150 years old. We have to bring it up to pristine condition."

Mr. Nunn has 38 years of experience as an architect and engineer. He has been working with Woodburne Associates to ensure the residents are comfortable "both in the short term and the long term".

"We are manipulating this building into a purpose-built place," he said. "We're working on increments of perfection as we go along. We have to be purposeful in our travel. There will be fire detectors and extinguishers, a conference room, a medical room, a storage area in the basement, and a library. There will be staff living quarters, a living / dining area, and improvements on the kitchen. We're going to enclose the veranda. We're adding four residential rooms, and there will be a common area called Hope Hall."

Mrs. Douglas added that she is concerned with the "deinstitutionalisation of the facility. It is not a terminal program. We're bringing up the standard of living. There will be training in vocational activities and a fantastic programme on independent living. We've already experimented with interdependent living. A bunch of them lived together and they did just fine." Those involved in the interdependent living program have held jobs at Lindo's Market, the Marketplace, and Pembroke Paint Company.

Mr. Nunn hopes the public sees the residents of Hope Homes as "well-mannered, polite people with a sense of humour". He added that the mentally challenged clients "understand more than people give them credit for".

"They read, write, and complete tasks," he said. "They love music, art, and work. They have a sense of pride that most people don't have. They do things not because they have to but because they want to. They're wonderful and warm-hearted. We must learn to be colour-blind to their disabilities."

Mr. Nunn blames the "unfortunate distinction between mentally and physically handicapped people" for the lack of funding at Hope Homes. "The mentally handicapped fall through the cracks," he said. "There is no support through fundraising or the Government. We need to incorporate these disenfranchised citizens."

Mr. Nunn, an avid musician, is in the process of organising music festivals to take place in August, September, and October to raise funds for the upcoming renovations at Hope Homes. This 'Festival of Hope' will include local musicians and visiting performers.

Both Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Nunn hope Bermudians will do their part to help with fundraising efforts, as even the smallest of contributions will go a long way. So far, concerned locals have been calling non-stop to offer assistance.

"The phone has been busy," Mrs. Douglas said. "People have been coming forward. We're going from strength to strength. People are promising donations and help. They say they are sorry for having listened to rumours. We're trying to get this misinformation disseminated."

The Hope Homes website, http://www.hopehomes.info, includes a breakdown of expenses for renovations, including $90,000 for preliminary insurance and $226,800 for architects, engineers, and surveyors fees. However, according to Mrs. Douglas, even a single dollar would be gratefully accepted.

"If everything is broken down into time and donations, the $1.5 million figure will be gone," she said. "Give a window or a door. We're doing this brick by brick. Just give a dollar. Go to Gorham's and buy some nails. We need to bring Hope Homes back to a liveable condition."

Donations can be made on the Hope Homes website at http://www.hopehomes.info. Purchases of Bermuda crafts and souvenirs at the online store will go towards renovations.