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RE-OPENING OF LANCASTER HOUSE

Maintenance of government buildings has to become a priority.

This was emphasised today by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, as he addressed the re-opening of Lancaster House, a facility offering emergency transitional housing and support services for displaced members of the community.

Mr. Humphrey, while giving the assurance that the facility, located at Lancaster, St. James, would be a priority in this respect, explained the rationale behind its refurbishment.

He said: “When we came here… a number of the rooms were out of use. There was mould in the walls. I mean, the building was basically in a state of serious dilapidation and people were actually still in it. And in keeping with the mandate of the Ministry, we determined that persons should not have to live and/or work in those kinds of conditions.”

Attendees at the reopening of Lancaster House

Pointing out that the facility, which falls under the National Assistance Board (NAB), would not be the only one refurbished, Mr. Humphrey said attention would be paid to all other buildings under the Ministry of People Empowerment.

“The Government committed just around three million dollars to the repairs of this building and the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Village, which we hope to open in December…. and you will see the amount of work that we too put into the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Village.

“And so, we’ve lifted the two main provisions of housing in the Ministry. There are a few more in the National Assistance Board …. The estimates reflect that we need to renovate those as well this year so to make sure that people live and work in conditions that are up to standard. And, the other thing that we made a commitment to do as a Government, and you would have heard the Prime Minister announce it, is in relation to building newer facilities,” he explained

He noted there would be collaborative efforts with the Barbados Association of Retired Persons and the Soroptimist International to build out a couple of these facilities and this would hopefully be undertaken next year and the year after, depending on the planning, among other things.

Minister Humphrey, acknowledging it was not just about building buildings, said the country had “to get back to the point where families are taking care of the elderly”.

He added: “We also have to be aware that as we’re intentionally rebuilding families, we also have to build some facilities. And we made a point that we were going to work with BARP and Soroptimist to be able to do so. We would like to be able to build a small facility perhaps in every parish to allow persons to be able, as they get older, to get older in dignity and in grace.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the NAB, Reverend Wayne Kirton, noted that Lancaster House was in the vanguard of the NAB reaching out and setting the example of what this society needs to return to.

“The days when we sought to reach out to those less fortunate within our communities, where as a people we were proud to make sure that our neighbours were fed, where we made sure that their needs were met.… People only went into homes when the care of them was beyond their families and beyond the community,” he remarked.

Adding that it was through facilities like the Lancaster House, the NAB must give of its best, he said it was important that it also recognise its duty to the people it serves.

Explaining further, he said: We have to get away from where people believe that the only time you should care for the elderly is twice a month when checks are to be changed….

“We need to value our elderly… see the contribution that they would have made and we need to honour them and I believe this facility would give us the opportunity to make sure that they are well taken care of as we seek… to transition them back into society.” (PR/GIS)

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.