Chyann Alleyne, one of the young people from the area, received some of the school supplies from representative of the American Caribbean Future Foundation, Eustace Combs.
Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Barbados, Neil Dowden.
School supplies donated to Prison Fellowship
Yesterday many children were blessed when the American Caribbean Future Foundation (ACFF) presented back-to-school supplies to the Prison Fellowship Group Barbados, in Carrington Village, St. Michael.
The donation was received by Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Barbados, Neil Dowden, who explained that the supplies would go a long way to helping the over 500 children on record who have requested aid.
“Even in this pandemic year as donations are drying up, we thank God for this start and we also want to promote the fact that over the last two weeks, we have been cooking meals and providing meals to the homeless and ex-inmates who have it rough.”
Representative for the ACFF, Eustace Combs, said that the organisation was happy to be able to help in whatever way they could lend assistance. He explained that every year, a country was chosen to donate supplies to and Barbados was chosen for 2021. Combs also said that every little bit goes a long way to help and the organisation was proud to donate to Barbados.
“Within the barrels, there are all kinds of school supplies including glue, whiteout, books, school bags, writing pads, lunch bags, pencil cases and other items. The group had a special sports day and all those who attended the sports days brought school items to donate to the drive,” said Combs.
Continuing in the vein of providing for the most vulnerable, the Prison Fellowship of Barbados will also be hosting a summer camp for the young children of ex-inmates to help provide meals, education and entertainment during the holidays. This camp will be in collaboration with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs – through the HIV Department, and tours will also be provided to the children. Seventy-five children have already signed up for the camp, with the director highlighting that there was only space for eighty due to the COVID-19 Health & Safety Directives.
Dowden explained that any donations, monetary or foodstuff, would be welcome to help push the hot meal program as it was mostly internally funded.
The fellowship also is in need of assistance with repairing the fencing surrounding the property, as Hurricane Elsa had blown down most of the galvanised sheets. Dowden stated that over 50 sheets and pieces of wood would be required to fix the openings left by the winds and some of the ex-inmates would provide the labour to replace the sheets. (AS)