Nassau, The Bahamas – Empowerment programmes for the Kemp Road Urban Renewal Livable Neighbourhood Centre will translate into increased employment opportunities for Kemp Road residents.
“The Urban Renewal programme is a very important programme. It’s a catalyst. We actually mean nothing without you,” said Ella Lewis, Urban Renewal Coordinator in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, to the partners at the meeting.
“We can only find out what the needs are in the society and bring them to your attention so those needs can be addressed. We facilitate and go into the community and see who is falling through the cracks.”
On January 19, the group attracted 20 members to discuss future plans for the Kemp Road community at the 2011 Urban Renewal Partners Meeting, held at the Rehabilitative Centre on Thompson Boulevard.
“It is an excellent programme but we really have no budget to say ‘John Brown’s house on East Street needs to be repaired. Here’s $5,000 to go and repair John Brown’s house. We do not have that. But, we do know where the $5,000 can be found to do the repairs,” said Ms. Lewis.
“We have a responsibility to go to the homes of these and show compassion, love and concern. We are the humanity in the society. In addition to that, we have a responsibility to the elderly and to the youth. We have a responsibility to the children, who come after school and we try to assist them as best as we can in giving them a safe environment between the hours of 3:30 and 5:00 in the afternoon. They can do their homework, their projects and interact with other children and be safe until their parents come home. We can’t do it alone. We need your help.”
Partners discussed strategies for teaching the area’s youth entrepreneurship, particularly in many high-in-demand technical skills such as masonry, landscaping, and home maintenance for young men. They also discussed classes for young women, such as how to develop cottage industry skills in hair braiding and craft-making, which includes straw work that provides a local source of tourist souvenirs made in The Bahamas.
There are a total of nine Urban Renewal Centres throughout New Providence in areas such as Englerston, Fox Hill, Pinewood, Nassau Village, Bain and Grants Town, Farm Road, Fort Charlotte, St. Cecilia, and Kemp Road. Each centre offers assistance to help strengthen and support the family unit with social services throughout the island’s urban areas.
By Gena Gibbs
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
