BVHS reports ‘Health for Homeless Fair’ success

The Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society is reporting that its “Health for the Homeless fair” at Queen’s Park on August 27 this year, was a success.

 

“The response was pretty good. Well over 100 plus people turned out for that Fair. They received some HIV testing. They also received food, clothing and a number of different health tests from the Diabetes Foundation,” President of the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society, Kemar Saffrey, said in an in interview with The Barbados Advocate this week.

 

He meanwhile noted, that his sights are set on the next health fair, set to take place during the Christmas period.

 

“We were in collaboration with Courts this year, so that was a pretty successful event and we are looking forward to the other one in December – our next health fair which will be “Love Day”. We are looking at December 17th for that,” Saffrey added.

 

“So we are on track for that and we hope that other sponsors will come on board as Courts did, so that we can make that a big success as well, for the organisation. 

 

“We will also be partnering Terry Arthur and his team for Love Day, as we have for the last five years,” Saffrey also commented.

 

The Health for the Homeless Fair was held this year in partnership with s (Barbados) Ltd, trading as Courts Barbados; and a number of volunteers were on hand at booths set up in the Park, to assist in handing out food and clothing to the homeless.

 

The customary health checks included HIV testing, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, as well as homeless persons receiving the opportunity to get free haircuts during the Fair. Over the years, the BVHS has been vetting those persons who turn up, to ensure that only those truly in need, benefit from the Fair’s free offerings. (RSM)