4th June 2009
Dear Hugh (Attwater),
I would like to thank you for giving Down Syndrome International the opportunity to work with the Libyan Down Syndrome Association. It was a magnificent experience to be able to assist a group which was actively doing as much as it could by simply reading and interpreting foreign literature.
I believe that it was of great benefit to them to be able to access outside experience and it was also of great benefit to us to work with a group which was so committed to furthering the aims and objectives of our association, which are to improve the quality of life and human rights for all people with Down syndrome. It was very heartening indeed to find that our suggestions were eagerly embraced and that trial programmes are now in the pipe line.
Our day touring was also an experience with 24 people making the outing to accompany us to Magnus Lubda. This day provided an excellent opportunity for informal discussions on a range of issues which would not surface in a workshop, but are as applicable in Libya as anywhere else in the world.
Thank you very much on behalf of Down Syndrome International for providing the means for DSi to undertake its aims and objectives and allowing Libyans to benefit directly from the advice of our international experts in the field.
In particular I would like to pay tribute to Hend from the Libyan BG office who did such a wonderful job of supporting us individually and collectively. I would also like to acknowledge the fantastic support that the BG Libya group has offered LDSA since 2006 and hope that we can acknowledge this by presenting you with an award during our conference in August in Dublin.
This model of support is a very effective and cost efficient intervention. We hope that your organisation will also consider it in other countries where you have a presence and there is a similarly desperate need for assistance.
I look forward to meeting you in Dublin in August.
Kind regards,
Penny Robertson OAM
President 2008/9
Down Syndrome International
