Project Chair of the St. Michael Parish Independence Committee, Wilma Trotman, making a presentation to Tamara Harris.

Project Chair of the St. Michael Parish Independence Committee, Wilma Trotman, making a presentation to Tamara Harris.

St. Michael Independence Committee reaching out through 2016 project

THE Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat has this year identified their theme as “Celebrating Who We Are”.

With this in mind, the St. Michael Parish Independence Committee developed the project “The Village Shop… An Unsung Treasure”.

This 2016 project highlights the features of the “village shop culture”, namely the shop as an institution that has survived almost as long as Barbados has existed as a society, and which has facilitated community spiritedness and social interaction; ameliorated the living conditions of many in times of widespread poverty (especially via the “trust” system); demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit, especially among the lower socio-economic classes; and often served as landmarks within the various communities.

“We recognise that the village shop is a part of who we are, and has for many year contributed to communities across Barbados. Not only by providing a place to socialise to discuss sports and politics, but also to provide households with her basis necessities,” Treasurer Patsy Grannum pointed out.

Therefore, celebrating the tradition of how village shops have assisted families over the years, the St. Michael Committee is making donations to three families in each of the four communities identified in the project: Elma’s Bar & Grocery, Brittons Hill; Old City Bar, Palmetto Square, Bridgetown; Corner Kick, Cnr. Chapel Gap & Two Mile Hill; and R. A. Mapps Bar & Grocery, Eagle Hall.

Recently, the Committee made the presentation to three families in the Brittons Hill community, who are also members of Restoration Ministries International. (TL)

Barbados Advocate

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