Government’s Adopt Our Families Programme has been extended, but there will be no new beneficiaries because of constraints at this time.
Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Alies Jordan, said Government had allocated funds to the programme for the 2021-2022 financial year. In addition, she stated that supplemental funding was also being received from Corporate Barbados, the diaspora and private citizens.
Ms. Jordan continued: “The Adopt Our Families Programme is to be extended to June 2021, or for as long as funds are available. But given the constraints at this time, the funds will not allow for an increase in the number of beneficiaries.”
The Permanent Secretary explained that it was necessary to extend the Adopt Our Families Programme, which started in April 2020, because the COVID-19 pandemic had severely impacted Barbados’ economy and travel industry, in particular.
“Several thousand Barbadians remain unemployed at this time (including some from the tourism industry), and are unable to find employment. The assistance provided to families with no, or very limited income, particularly those with children, has made a significant difference in their quality of life,” she remarked.
Ms. Jordan pointed out that almost 5,000 households were currently benefiting from the programme and they had expressed gratitude for the assistance being received to support their families.
She noted that beneficiaries from the inception of the programme, who were still unemployed and had no income earners within their household, were still receiving funds to help their families survive.
Donations to Adopt Our Families should be made directly to Account Number 1001193982, at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Broad Street Branch, under the title, Ministry of Finance Adopt A Family. An email should then be sent to adoptafamily@pmo.gov.bb, informing of the deposit.
Individuals living overseas, who wish to contribute, should make their deposits to CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Broad Street, St. Michael, Account Number 1001193982 – SWIFT CODE FCIBBBBB.