In a display of community spirit, 40 dedicated individuals have emerged as beacons of hope for the island’s ageing population. These newly certified carers, trained in elderly care, are set to play an important role in the lives of senior citizens across the island, thanks to a new course spearheaded by the Community Development Department.
The graduates, hailing from the Bonnetts Resource Centre and St David’s Anglican Church, celebrated their achievement at a graduation ceremony held at the St David’s Community Centre in Christ Church recently.
Kay Hinds, acting Deputy Chief Community Development Officer in her remarks said: “Community initiatives and programmes are essential factors in the development of our nation. Over the years, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment through the Community Development Department has made several community initiatives and programmes readily available to the average Barbadian.”
She said: “Our department is pleased to partner with the church and the facilitators of this programme which seeks to empower members of the community across Barbados, thus improving the welfare of elderly persons and other special groups.”
Canon Noel Burke, Rector of the St David’s Anglican Church, said: “It is the hope of the bishop that this will be an ongoing course within many of our districts and that other churches will similarly offer or make available their facilities towards the conduct of future courses.”
Before receiving their certificates, MP Cynthia Forde offered words of advice. She said: “I want you to take pride in what you are doing, I want you to give that patience that is necessary if you really want to win over their hearts.
“I want you to show the love and respect for them, they are the nation builders.”
Forde provided insight into an upcoming initiative called the Granddaddy Project, which will utilise the services of retired males in a mentorship programme. She explained: “It is an intergenerational project because we have so many thousands of Barbadians who are retired, some early because of disabilities and all that, but they still have very sharp minds. They are still very creative.”
Recognising that many households lack a paternal figure, they are seeking to fill that gap. Forde believes our boys need to be nurtured differently, and she wants to utilise the expertise of retirees drawn from across all spheres to ensure a well-rounded experience. She said: “The model of it is for males to work with boys exclusively and we want to start at the primary level.”
“Boys need guidance,” she emphasised, “Boys need men to help to mentor them.”
The programme will involve these mentors going into the school setting once or twice a week to interact with their young charges.
Forde told the graduands: “The sky is your limit and once you love working with your clients, and you do the necessary training you can turn Barbados around.” (STT)
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