KIVALLIQ
The Kivalliq Kids fund reaches out to a group of determined youth who are facing difficult challenges.

The fund, started by Accutech Engineering, works through the Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Winnipeg, which sends therapists to Nunavut.

Ken Drysdale: Accutech Engineering president is trying to entice more Nunavummiut to get involved with the Kivalliq Kids fund.

Accutech has worked with the centre for a number of years in the south, and started the Kivalliq Kids fund with the Children's Rehabilitation Centre Foundation more than two years ago.

Accutech president Ken Drysdale said a therapist will let the fund know about a child's situation and the type of equipment needed to make their life better.

The company, through the fund, will then purchase the equipment.

"We had a boy injured in an accident and could no longer speak effectively," said Drysdale.

"There were no programs available to help with the purchase of the equipment he needed.

"A Children's Rehabilitation Centre therapist told us he needed an Alpha Speech Machine, so we went out and purchased it for him.

"The therapist brought it to his community, he was trained on it, and the machine has changed this 14-year-old's life."

Since then, the fund has established a toy lending library in Chesterfield Inlet, as well as a local and a territorial toy library in Rankin Inlet.

The libraries hold a collection of specifically designed or modified toys that allow physically-challenged kids to play, and act as a tool to help therapists evaluate a child's progress and what he or she can do.

Joseph is a 12-year-old who loves school and has a special interest in science.

However, Joseph has difficulty speaking and making himself understood.

His family, who did not want their name published was excited to learn about technology that could help him communicate and learn better in school.

The Kivalliq Kids fund purchased a Keytech Touch Window computer and accompanying software to help Joseph let his thoughts and feelings be heard.

Joseph can now use his computer with ease. It's become vital to his school program, and allows him to socialize more with his peers and adults.

Drysdale said this past month, the fund became aware of children in Chesterfield Inlet who had difficulty communicating.

He said a therapist recommended a computerized system that is now helping 10 children in the community communicate more effectively.

"The fund is all about helping these kids with the rehabilitation centre's backing.

"We've been distributing a poster around Nunavut to promote the fund, and it has all the information anyone would need if they'd like to help us help these kids.

"I travel to Nunavut a lot working and I hand them out to people in

every community I visit.

"We received a bit, but not much, support from Nunavummiut so far, so we're trying to raise awareness in hopes of attracting more people and companies to get involved and help improve the quality of life for these deserving kids."

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