The Barbados Women’s Cricket Team, supported by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), yesterday presented a number of food vouchers to the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.
The vouchers have been donated specifically for impoverished families who have been further impacted by the fall-out from COVID-19.
Manager of the team, Betty Lewis, explained that the idea to give back to this vulnerable segment of Barbadian society came from Vice Captain of the team, Kycia Knight, and was enthusiastically supported by the entire team.
“While some team members are also members of the West Indies team, others are students and some are unemployed. Yet everyone came together and contributed. I then approached the BCA, which matched the players’ contribution,” she stated.
Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde, in accepting the vouchers from team captain, Hayley Matthews, said that she could not be more proud of the young women.
Noting that some persons were often quick to criticize young people, accusing them of not caring about giving back to the community, she pointed out that this group of young cricketers had proved them wrong, by reaching out to help the poor, especially women and children.
She appealed to other organizations, including sporting organizations, to follow their example and contribute.
Minister Forde explained that while the Ministry originally had a list of 500 vulnerable families, that list had now grown to 2,000 after feedback from social workers, the faith-based community, the postal service and other community workers to help identify those most in need.
She therefore expressed gratitude for all help, sharing that while the Ministry would not accept cash, donations of food and toiletries were welcomed.