Stronger Families Key to Barbados’ Future, Says Mottley

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has issued a strong appeal for parents and communities to take a more active role in raising children, warning that the nation’s future depends on it.

She delivered the message on Saturday during the official opening of the Young People’s Village at Holders Hill, a newly completed multi-million-dollar residential facility aimed at supporting at-risk youth.

The modern complex, valued at approximately $14 million, represents a major boost to Barbados’ child protection system. Designed to house and care for foster children, the facility provides a structured yet nurturing environment tailored to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18.

Developed by the Barbados Children’s Trust, the Young People’s Village is intended to serve as a transitional space for teenagers moving on from the more regimented setting of the Nightingale Children’s Village, helping them build independence and essential life skills.

Situated on nearly three acres of land, the compound includes residential housing, an activities centre and a sports pavilion. It can accommodate up to 37 young people along with residential staff, creating a community-focused environment for growth and development.

The Prime Minister stressed that while government programmes are essential, the real foundation for success lies within homes and communities.

“We have to spend the time… it takes a village to raise a child,” Mottley said, underscoring the importance of parental presence, guidance, and what she described as “firm love.”

She identified adolescence as a critical stage in development, cautioning that without proper support, young people are at risk of losing direction.

“These are the years that can make you or break you,” she said. “Our children need guardrails, examples and opportunities.”

The facility itself has been carefully designed to avoid the harsh feel of traditional institutional care, instead fostering a sense of belonging and dignity. Following the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, officials toured the compound, highlighting its role in shaping more positive outcomes for vulnerable youth.

Also addressing the ceremony, the Minister of Elder Affairs  Adrian Forde emphasized the need for compassion in youth development, noting that emotional support is just as critical as physical infrastructure.

“A house is not a home unless there is someone there to hold you,” he said, calling for a more humane approach to social services.

The Prime Minister reiterated that raising children is a shared national responsibility.

“There is no future if our young people are not raised properly,” she said.