Barbados Muslim Association makes donation to ten schools

Ten primary and secondary schools from across the island received a welcomed donation recently after the Barbados Muslim Association (BMA) presented them with water cooler systems.

This donation was part of the Association’s integral support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados’ ‘Drink more Water’ campaign, which seeks to eliminate the scourge of childhood obesity currently gripping the nation.

President of the BAM, Dr. Abdul Mohamed, spoke briefly during the presentation of the water coolers, and gave an insight into why they were contributing to the educational institutions in this way.

“Islam advocates doing good deeds for the pleasure of God, and not for show. Individuals in the BAM are continuously engaged in many public programmes, school breakfast programmes and feeding programmes. This is done in a discreet manner, where the left hand isn’t aware of what the right hand is doing. However, its been decided this year that we would create awareness about our small community, especially with the global anti-Islam propaganda that exists today. This initiative of creating a healthy habit in our children is indeed a worthy cause,” he said

Dr. Mohamed, who spoke from his experience of treating patients both inside and out of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, warned Barbadians to take heed of the warnings from health professionals and take on a healthier lifestyle, as heart disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affect young persons as well, and not just the elderly.

“The majority of persons waiting in admissions at the Accident and Emergency Department are not the elderly, but persons under 50 years of age. Stroke patients are no longer elderly. We are indeed in a crisis,” Dr Mohamed revealed.

Praising the BAM for its donation, Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, stated: “Two of the most important weapons in the health care arsenal that is required as we assault the enemy that we know of as NCDs, are drinking water, which does not cost must; and the other one is physical activity.

“Regrettably, they are two of the most under utilised weapons in the arsenal. So it is important that we place an emphasis on the need for our people to drink more water and less sugary beverages."

The ten schools who benefited from the donation were: The Ann Hill School; Reynold Weekes Primary; Gordon Greenidge Primary; St. George Primary; St. Ambrose Primary; Al Falah School; St. Michael School; The Alexandra School, Grantley Adams Memorial School; and Christ Church Foundation School.

The Association will continue in its drive to donate these water coolers to more schools, with the aim of having every public school in the island being outfitted with them in the next four to five years.