Government’s plans to construct a “first-class” facility for teenagers in care of the state at Bullens, St. James, are moving ahead.
Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, today announced that the groundbreaking ceremony to pave the way for the start of construction of the facility was set to occur soon.
Speaking during a press briefing to launch Child Month, Mr. Humphrey said the new facility was being built with assistance from the Barbados Children’s Trust (BCT).
He explained that the Nightengale Children’s Home housed children up to age 11, while teenagers were presently accommodated at the former Farrs Children’s Home, now the Maria Brewster Facility.
“We have proper facilities for children who are young, [and we will] have first- class facilities for the children who are a bit older,” he said.
Mr. Humphrey said the Child Care Board (CCB) had undergone institutional upliftment in terms of its physical structures, particularly in children’s homes.
However, he added that there was also a need to uplift childcare day nurseries to ensure that the provision of care for young children was “second to none”.
The Minister pointed out that money was allocated in the estimates for the repairs, and upliftment of the facilities was “significantly increased”. He said that the upgrade of at least two facilities are expected to be undertaken this year, with the others occurring over the coming years.
Highlighting the work done by the BCT at the Nightengale Children’s Home to bring it in line with that of a modern facility, the Minister emphasised the importance of children in care being raised in environments of which they could be proud.
Mr. Humphrey added that he also hoped to see the Child Care Board sign removed from the buses to eliminate the stigma, and to allow children in care the ability to feel a sense of pride and dignity.
Child Month runs from May 1 to 31, and is under the theme Nurturing Children, Strengthening Families.