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Guma’ Mami Inc., a nonprofit community-based organization dedicated to providing support and services to individuals with disabilities on Guam, is hosting a Halloween carnival and trick-or-trunk on Friday. The carnival will be at one of the organization’s community homes at 105 Hibiscus Street in Mangilao from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 31. Monica Limtiaco, lead treatment specialist, told the Pacific Daily News that “monies that we raise for the carnival is going to be used for recreational leisure activities in the future for our residents.” Funded by the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, Guma’ Mami’s main mission is to help individuals with disabilities recover and become self-determined, through teaching and reinforcing independent living, life skills, and social interaction. “Guma’ Mami believes in the inclusion of people with disabilities, so making sure they have a quality life, making sure they participate in activities anybody participates in, is what’s really important,” Limtiaco said. She added that this carnival and other leisurely activities, such as pool days, gym days, bowling, dinners, or nights out are important to make sure clients have fun “just like any typical person,” because some of them may not have all the proper support systems in place. “This is the way we try to provide that additional support,” Limtiaco said. “It’s important to teach about medication, independent living, and how to ride a bus, but what’s also important is how to be a part of the community and how to be social.” Participating in these types of activities, she added, enhances the clients’ socializing skills in real-life settings. Residents can contact organizers at (671) 483-6775 or (671) 777-4862 for more information.
