BY JULIA RAWLINS-BENTHAM | DEC 10, 2022
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, touring the Auntie Brewer’s Early Years Centre at the Nightengale Children’s Home. The Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. (C. Pitt/BGIS)
Residents across Barbados are being encouraged to pour into the lives of the nation’s children by developing a culture of giving back.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley made an impassioned plea for residents to reach out to help children, who through no fault of their own, are incapable of helping themselves.
She was speaking during the unveiling of three plaques at the Nightengale Children’s Home on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister disclosed that Government would lead by example, as it was her intention to use the grounds of Ilaro Court in conjunction with the National Cultural Foundation, twice monthly to host fund raisers of which the proceeds would go purely to the benefit for children under the age of 18.
“We need to develop a culture of giving back at all levels,” she said, noting there was a general consensus that charitable donations were seen as “something that others do”.
To curb the issue, Ms. Motley outlined that she intended to speak with Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, to develop a public education campaign to explain how persons could give back and benefit, to make that defining difference in the lives of children.
During her address, the Prime Minister explained that giving back was not just about money, but also giving time. “Time matters for those who can make a difference in mentoring these kids; time matters in terms of the skills that you can impart to them; time matters in terms of the voluntary contributions that you can give so that we can pull all of these things together,” she said.
She further urged persons to “be generous in spirit” to each other, and for each other, because that would make for a better society.
“We are as safe as a nation according to how we raise our people and in particular our children,” Ms. Mottley outlined, noting everyone had an obligation to make life as best as it could be for each child.
The Prime Minister noted that the presence of the Nightengale Children’s Home was borne out of partnership with the Barbados Children’s Trust.
She added that while Government would do what it could with resources available, the reality was that each stage of development was rooted in partnerships such as those provided through the Trust.
Once given a chance anybody can achieve anything…. This Nightengale [Children’s] Home along with other homes managed by the Child Care Board are intended to give people a first chance,” she stated. She added that a part of Barbados becoming a civil society depended on how persons treated each other.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, Chairman of the CCB, Catherine Jordan and members of the Barbados Children’s Trust.
