Presenting the award to Mrs. Archer was R.E. Barnes, chairman of the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. In describing Mrs. Archer’s selfless service to the development of the country, Mr. Barnes commended Mrs. Archer for her service.
“Andrea Archer, you are a valued member of our community, your service to help Bahamians, especially our young people, is so clear when we see the smile on your face as you speak of helping them. We are very proud to present the Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award to you.”
Andrea Archer’s contribution to the development of her country has earned her a well-deserved place, not only in the annals of history in The Bahamas, but also in the hearts and minds of those she seek to serve.
Mrs. Archer in her present post as the Deputy Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Health began her career in the field of nursing some thirty-five years ago. Throughout the course of those years Mrs. Archer has gained experience and exposure in administration, community nursing, education and social work. Her formal training in the field of nursing began in 1969 when she served as a Community Nursing Officer at the Community Nursing Service with the Ministry of Health. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Archer served as a Staff Nurse with the United Oxford Hospitals in Oxford, England.
In 1968, after attaining the certificate and diploma in Medio-Social Counseling at Liverpool University, Liverpool University, Liverpool, England, Mrs. Archer immersed herself in the area of social work, and upon her return home she became the first Bahamian School Social Worker in The Bahamas.
Mrs. Archer says her initial project on her return home to The Bahamas was to let schools know what social work was and how to utilize it within the school system. Similarly, she took part in home and school visitations, counseling and social work intervention and also the implementation and design of the programme.
Upon her elevation to the position of Senior School Social Worker in 1975, Mrs. Archer implemented several programmes and initiatives including social work in special education schools and programmes for school children, at risk students and their families, which included psychology clinics, after-school programmes and summer camps.
Mrs. Archer also spearheaded the Social Work Programme for Social Workers at the College of The Bahamas, and in 1980 she was recognized as the first Bahamian School Welfare Officer in The Bahamas. She subsequently became Chief School Welfare Officer with the School Welfare Section at the Ministry of Education in 1986. And in 1992, when she was transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, she continued on with her passion of assisting those most in need.
Described by many as very ambitious and compassionate, Mrs. Archer is said to represent a classic example of a nation-builder. Her implementation of School Social Work in Government Pre-Schools and her co-authoring of the Success Ultimate Reassures Each One programme (S.U.R.E), which is designed to build the self-esteem of young boys, speak volumes of her passion for wanting to be a role model in the nation’s future leaders.
Mrs. Archer’s similar assistance in the launching of the Providing Access To Continued Education programme (PACE) along with the Zonta Club, which assists pregnant young girls by affording them a second chance at life, is another example of her selfless nature and her desire to give back to the community.
The Bahama Journal
