The Amarone Charitable Trust was established in 2014 with the aim to find solutions and provide assistance for needs that weren’t being met in the global community, with a specific focus on Barbados---

The Schoolhouse

Projects / The Schoolhouse for Special Needs Inc.

The Schoolhouse for Special Needs Inc. (The Schoolhouse) was first established in 2006 with a modest group of students operating from the residence of its Founder, Yasmin Vlahakis. In 2008, it was officially registered with the local regulatory board, The Ministry of Education, and successfully received their endorsement on September 2nd, 2008. The Schoolhouse had many transitions and with the support of The Rotary Club of Barbados, The Schoolhouse is now located at Britton Court in St. Michael on a serene and spacious property…a perfect learning environment.

At the helm of The Schoolhouse is Yasmin Vlahakis who was first educated at St. Gabriels School-Barbados. After graduation, she enrolled at Chiltern Nursery College-Reading, England. Upon successful completion Yasmin relocated to Zimbabwe and began her teaching career at St. Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre. This post opened her love and appreciation for children with special needs. Later, when she returned to Barbados she established Little People Preschool and ultimately joined the staff at St. Angelas School to oversee their primary school special needs program. After ten successful years, she branched out on her own with The Schoolhouse. Yasmin is now supported by seven qualified, caring and dedicated teachers whose sole purpose is to advance those under their care using the tools with which they have been equipped so that they will become contributing members of the society.

The Schoolhouse is not just another academic institution, it is a sanctuary away from home ensuring a safe, secure, nurturing and stimulating environment within which individuals with special needs can learn, flourish and develop their self-independence. Financially, each of the students come from households that can be classified as indigent, yet, The Schoolhouse encourages this category of parent to make a practical contribution towards their childs education and overall development.

Recent Projects

Discover the heart of our recent projects in Barbados, where our NGO is making a profound impact across three vital pillars: Athletics, Children, and Disaster Relief. Through dynamic athletic initiatives, we're fostering teamwork and growth. Our dedication to children's welfare encompasses education and healthcare, nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Moreover, our disaster relief efforts bring hope and healing when it's needed most. Join us in transforming lives and building a brighter future for Barbados and beyond.

Fight ‘N’ Fit Boxing

Fight N Fit proposes to launch an After-School Boxing Program. It is our belief that a program of this kind will provide an outlet to engage and advocate for increased physical activity in the youth,

Athletics Initiative

Within this pillar we have looked to fill a need, which has been to provide funding for athletes that will provide them access to additional training, access to high level coaches

children in need

During 2016 the trust approached UNICEF in Switzerland to collaborate on implementing an initiative to assist children in need, be it Syria, Yemen or in other places such as Nepal, which is still suffering from the earthquakes of 2015.