Several fathers were treated to free pedicures Saturday fortnight through a project called Rejuvenate, a collaborative effort between the Made It Against The Odds Foundation and the Katrina Endometriosis Fund.
Elderly men and those who engage in community work in St Michael received the pre-Father’s Day gift, at the Bridgetown Constituency Office.
Not only did the men receive the pedicures, which included the cleaning and massaging of the feet, but they also received a free meal upon the completion of their service
Minister of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment Kirk Humphrey said his Ministry has been calling on people to contribute to its Each One Reach One community oriented programme.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner today on this particular project. Many of the men in the community often don’t take the time to take care of themselves and this is an opportunity to engage in some serious self care and I do hope that as part of this project that we will be able to reach a number of men who have made a contribution to society.
“This particularly is for the elderly men, but we have also reached out to men who have been doing a lot of community work and men who have made different contributions in various regards, and that is what this project is all about,” he said.
The Minister stressed that partnerships between the state and civil society have great potential to build Barbados “back from the ground up”.
“People recognise that the Government can’t do it all and I am happy to be able to partner today with this amazing organisation. I am told that over the next few days and weeks and months that they would reach a number of elderly men in the community.
It is my hope that this partnership could even integrate itself and form itself into something more longstanding and long serving to be able to offer this kind of service to persons in some of our elderly homes for a lot of people who are unable to afford it. I just feel that we have to take better care of some of our elderly so I am pleased to be here today,” Minister Humphrey said.
Founder and President of the Made it Against the Odds Foundation Tamika Newton said herself and founder of the Katrina Endometriosis Foundation, Katrina Newton, conceptualised the idea of developing a project to give back to the community a few years ago, but had to put plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newton, who was the person doing the pedicures, said she was pleased to be able to make her contribution to society.
“Now we are up and running and we are giving back to the elderly who would have paved the way for us.
So we are giving back through pedicures, manicures, massages, hair braiding and barbering services for elderly persons around Barbados. So today is the launch of the Rejuvenate project,” Newton said, adding that she was excited about what the future holds for the project. (AH)
