Fun time for the children

The Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society and the Ministry of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment continue to partner with the private sector to make a difference in the lives of children living at two of the Child Care Board residential centres.

Fifty children from the Nightingale Children’s Village and Marina Brewster Centre at Farrs recently enjoyed a day at the races at the Garrison Savannah, St Michael.

Chief executive officer of the Barbados Turf Club, Rosette Peirce, said the children got the opportunity to view the races from the sponsors lounge, which overlooks the famous paddock bend and as special guests, they “were treated to full hospitality-food, drinks and ice cream”.

Peirce said the children also got to meet some influential people in the horseracing industry and champion jockey and leading apprentice rider Teshawn Hazlewood.

She said she was pleased to be part of the initiative when approached with the idea and it was an emotional experience for her.

“It was wonderful, they were comfortable and it was a joy seeing the expressions on the children’s faces. They laughed, they cheered, it was just a happy time for them and I could tell they truly appreciated it,” she said.

President of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Adrian Bayley said it was important to engage the youngsters in these types of activities as they otherwise would not be able to do so.

“We want to make a positive impact on the lives of these children and expose them to things other young people get to do. We want to contribute to their development in a meaningful way and help them build out their social skills, imagination and creativity, which would help them in their schooling,” he said. “We also don’t want them to feel as though they are disadvantaged or feel left out because of their circumstances. We want to show them that they are well loved and appreciated by society and deserve every opportunity to be happy.”

Bayley added that he and the ministry had other activities on the cards for the children to enjoy for the rest of the year as they wanted them to look forward to doing something exciting and adventurous often. (SZB)