Minister of Social Care, Christopher Sinckler, chats with (from left) Chairperon of the Soroptmist??Senior Citizens Village, Margaret Osbourne, President of Soroptimist International of Barbados, Pansy Griffith, and a participant of the Activities Centre, Hildegarde Weekes, during his tour today.

Soroptimist International of Barbados could receive financial assistance for its Senior Citizens Village and Activities Centre at Eden Lodge.

Minister of Social Care, Christopher Sinckler, speaking at its open day, today, said that he was pleased with the fantastic work the Soroptimists had accomplished on "a shoestring budget" and called on them to make a proposal to his Ministry for some financial aid.

"I am a little surprised to have learnt that Soroptimist has not … submitted a proposal to the Ministry for some level of support. Even though it should have been the Ministry’s responsibility to have been seeking them out, I certainly would like to invite them to do so… I think that somewhere in the budget, even with the constraints that we have, that we may be able to offer some assistance," Minister Sinckler stated.

Pointing out that his Government placed strong emphasis on taking care of the elderly and invested considerable sums of money trying to provide for them, he called on the private sector to assist them in doing so, since this was a very costly exercise. "And where the private sector and government can come together to share the costs, it means that additional persons … can be captured and get that assistance," he said.

Soroptimist International of Barbados manages the Senior Citizens Village and Activities Centre, which has 24 units and 22 residents. The Activities Centre is open to elderly participants Tuesdays to Thursdays, where they play board games, do craft, exercise, and discuss current events.

emcclean@barbados.gov.bb

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