By Brittany Brewster
Founder of Jabez House Shamelle Rice, popular gospel singer Sister Margarita Marshall, charity worker Sharon Bellamy-Thompson and founder of the Foundation for Better Learning (FFBL) Esther Mullin are the recipients of this year’s Vocational Service Awards from the Rotary Club of Barbados West.
The four women were recognised at the club’s annual Service Awards ceremony held on Tuesday at the 3Ws Oval, at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.
The awards are presented to individuals in the community who exemplify outstanding professional achievement while maintaining very high ethical standards.
As she accepted her award, Rice shared the story of how, when she was a student, a teacher’s intervention and the help of Millard Murrell impacted her life, making her into the woman she is today.
“That man, from age 11 right up through my entire school life, bought every single uniform I had, bought every single book I had. Every single month I got an allowance so I didn’t have to miss school,” she said.
Rice also recalled Murrell encouraging her to go to university despite her financial struggles and then supporting her yet again by covering all the fees associated with her studies.
She said it was because of his unconditional support and that of others that she made it her purpose to pay it forward, which led her to establishing Jabez House, a safe haven for female sex workers in Barbados.
Since 2012, she has reached out to more than 550 of those women, facilitating their transition from sex work to alternative economic empowerment opportunities.
Another awardee, Mullin, who started teaching at the age of 18, thanked her teachers and grandmother for always encouraging her even when she did not believe in herself.
It was against that background that the now 76-year-old went on a mission to “help God’s children”, regardless of their social status or learning abilities. As she accepted the award for her dedication to the nation’s children, she pointed out that teaching was always her passion. Noting that there were many dyslexic people who were neglected in Barbados, she said she always wanted her students to know she believed in them and she encouraged them to always aim for success.
Mullin has inspired thousands of children, who are now contributing to building Barbados in every field, through her foundation which encourages students to focus and concentrate at all times, follow and obey all instructions given, believe in yourself – you can do it – and look, listen attentively and you will learn (FFBL).
An emotional Mullin said: “I must thank those hundreds of parents who allowed me to complete my goal in life, and that is to give back to God’s children. Never mind how poor a child is, there is always talent and if that talent is managed correctly you would be surprised to see how that child turns out.”
Bellamy-Thompson has been a philanthropist for over 30 years and was awarded for her work in feeding the poor and helping children across the country.
Presenting the Fishers of Men Charity founder with her 18th Vocational Service Award, President of the Rotary Club Hugh Callendar saluted Bellamy for providing cooked meals daily to more than 120 indigent families and homeless people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the Queen of Gospel Sister Marshall, Callendar said that despite her age, she still made sure to perform at several charity events.
“There are so many charity concerts she is out there singing at and at the end of it she would just accept a ‘thank you’, so she’s working for free. But that shows you the type of person she is,” the club’s president said.
“I salute Sister Marshall for all the work she has been doing over the years and for her contribution to gospel music and charitable causes.”
And in true Sister Marshall style, the gospel singer gave a rendition of Robert Ray’s He Never Failed Me Yet to show her appreciation for the award.
In her keynote address, president of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) Marilyn Rice-Bowen encouraged all in attendance to follow the lead of the awardees and make time to give back to the community.
“You need to make the time if you are serious about transforming a society because that is what we do as workers in the NGO community – we transform society, we change things, we make things better, “ she said.
Rice-Bowen also urged Rotarians to start their community work with the youth early on to ensure they have a better outlook on life.
“All is not lost. If we could get to those little children and start to work with them right now, they would view life differently. Be a friend to that child because people need people and sometimes you have to go that extra mile to make people feel good,” the BARP boss added.
She acknowledged the awardees’ contributions and encouraged them to give themselves a pat on the back for being the change they wanted to see in society.
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