Bel Air Newsletter Aug 2005

Bel Air Newsletter

August 2005

B el A i r C h i l d r e n ’s H o m e , C al l i s t e , G r e n a n d a , We s t I n d i e s w w w. s p i c e i s l e . c o m / b e l ai r h o m e b e l a i r h o m e @ c a r i b s u r f . c o m Ph o n e 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 1 0 0 ; F a x 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 2 2 0

President’s Notes By Paddy Ross INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1

President’s Notes

1

Manager’s Matters

2

Resident’s Experiences

3

Picture Gallery

3

To Share

4

Questionnaire

“As I write, our turn has come at last and work has started on the roof of Bel Air. Thank you, USAID”

It would be nice to be able to say that, six months after the previous newsletter, all was back to normal. Alas, life is not that straightforward. After a false start on the repairs to the home, which saw only the perimeter fence completed, we found ourselves without a contractor. Fortunately, USAID took on the rehabilitation of the child care homes in Grenada. Other homes suffered structurally more than Bel Air and it was appropriate that these residential homes were repaired before Bel Air. As I write, our turn has come at last and work has started on the roof of Bel Air. Thank you, USAID. Our good fortune continued as Johnson & Johnson, through the good offices of UNICEF in Barbados, made a generous donation to Grenada to refurbish four child care homes. It is being used to replace beds, mattresses, sheets, fabrics etc. Bel Air is proud that it was appointed Please see President’s Notes on page 2

Manager’s Matters By Sharon Davis Well we are back in the hurricane season and unfortunately, Bel Air is still without a proper roof and all the accessories that go with it. But let's not talk of doom and gloom. Since the passage of Ivan we have had a few successes. Top of list is our resident who had surgery on both her club feet. Surgery was a success and she is due to return to Trinidad in September for another operation.

From the Nursery

We had two Common Entrance passes, one current resident and one who left a short time ago. Three residents were discharged, one to a foster carer in Carriacou and two reunited with family. One of our past residents who we support and are very proud of will be graduating from the New Life Organization. Please see Manager’s Matters on page

Last but not least ten of our older residents accompanied by four staff 2 members and myself will be going to St. Lucia's Christian Youth Festival. This was made possible by faithful donors and fundraising efforts. Watch this space for pictures and details about our trip. *******************

Bel Air Newsletter

Page 2

Resident’s Experiences On April 28, I Anaisa, Nathalie and I visited the Royal Navy Ship, HMS Liverpool together with students from Westmorland Private School. We walked to the boat, said good afternoon and they took our names. The lady could not spell my name so I had to spell it for her. We were taken on a tour of the ship, they showed us how the rocket is operated, some photographs were taken then we were split up into three groups. “..we were then taken down a long flight of stairs to the Anti-submarine room where they keep defense weapons etc.”

I went to see where the captain controls the ship, I spoke to the children downstairs, watched where the light will stop for signal on the ship and we were then taken down a long flight of stairs to the Anti-submarine room where they keep defense weapons etc, then the operations room where they measure degrees etc. We looked at the map and saw the Caribbean, and then they asked if we had any questions, we said no. We were taken back outside where they showed us how to use a gun, there were no bullets in it. They also showed us the helicopter and where the pilot and other persons will sit in it. We got lots to eat and drink like chips, sausages, fried dumplings, orange juice and ice cream. When we were leaving they gave us a plastic bag with sweets, chocolate, a pen and a key holder. We then said goodbye and thank you and left the ship. The other children went to their parents and we were taken back to Bel Air by Mrs. Grey. It was a nice trip. By: Shennel Frederick - Resident Please see more Resident’s Experiences on page 4 President’s Notes from page 1

the management partner in this project to oversee the distribution of finances and to submit appropriate accounts to the donors. Thank you, Johnson & Johnson. CFLI, Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, gave to Bel Air a significant donation which has been used to replace the post-Ivan malfunctioning freezers, washing machines etc. as well as the directional signs that traveled west north west with Ivan. Thank you, CFLI. So, as so often in the past, we are in the fortunate position of being able to say - THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING BEL AIR.

With two new feet and a big smile (See Manager’s Matters on Page 1)

Manager’s Matters from page 1

Page 3

Bel Air Newsletter

Picture Gallery

The New Roof

The Nursery Wall

Site of the New Fire Escape

The lady in the middle of the children is a volunteer, Mrs. Anne Meinema from Canada. She was really good with the kids, they love her. Her husband, Jake, was working here for a couple months and she came to us a couple days a week. With her in the picture are Anaisa; Anica; Antanja; Brittany; Camella; Clinton; George; Jason; Joel; John; Josh; Kisha; Orian; Ralan; Rayon; Saran; Scottie; Shakeem; Shakera; Shanie; Shennel; Tamica; Tania; Tevin; Tori Ann; Wendy Ann; Yarkidah;

To Serve By Barbara Regis - Adolescents Development Project Worker For me to serve makes life worthwhile, When we care for each little child. The love, the warmth, is what they need, To help them in life to succeed. You see, to be a staff in Bel-Air, A mixed experience to share. You may not know just how to start, But you'll get through with a loving heart.

“We went outside in the yard played for some time then came inside and played musical chairs after which we had a lovely dinner. It was great.”

From Resident’s Experiences

Page 4

Bel Air Newsletter

Resident’s Experiences from page 2 I visited the Royal Navy ship, HMS Liverpool in the month of April. We had a tour around the ship and saw the defense weapons, the Lynx Helicopter, the operations room and the command and control room. There were 28 crew members on board. We met the Captain and also the Chef. It is a big ship, we had fun. We also had ice cream, chicken, chips and snacks. We also went on a Child Abuse March during the month of April. We marched from Tanteen to the Melville Street Fish Market. There were children from many different schools, churches and other organizations. We had lots of eats and drinks. By: Anaisa Phillip - Resident During the Easter break all of the adolescent girls and the nursery children went to the movies. The adolescents saw the movie "Son of the Mask" and the nursery children saw "Winnie the Pooh". We ate popcorn and drank juice before the movies started. After the movies we came home changed our clothes and went out in the yard and played baseball. We had lots of fun then had a very good supper afterwards. By: Sarana Bernard - Resident On Wednesday 25th May we had a sleepover for some of our friends from school. I showed my friend around the building, and then introduced her to the senior staff on duty. We went outside in the yard played for some time then came inside and played musical chairs after which we had a lovely dinner. It was great.

It all started one sunny day on Thursday 26th May after our sleep over party. It was our big day for sports. On our way to Gouyave we dropped some children in Grand Anse Valley. When we got there the people in charge was still organizing so we went to sit in the pavilion. We waited until two minutes were up, then the people in charge called us to pray and say National Anthem. After the Anthem we took part in different events e.g. thread the needle, apple in a bucket, sack race etc. My three friends and I were winners. By: Markidah Mason - Residents I went to the sports in Gouyave. I was put in red house and ran a lot, I also did apple in a bucket and ran in the boy's race. After the races we had lunch then did some skipping. I had a lot of fun. By: Tania Simon - Resident It was a Wednesday afternoon my friends came over to have a sleepover. They arrived at 6.30 p.m. It started at 7.30 p.m. and ended at 9.00 p.m. That night we had a lot of fun and games and a lot to eat and drink. We then went upstairs, brushed our teeth, changed our clothes and came back downstairs and watched a movie, "Are we there yet". While we were watching the movie we got popcorn and ice cream. When the movie was finished we did devotion and we all went to bed. It was my first sleepover and I enjoyed it. By: Shakeira Davidson - Resident

By: Wendy-Ann - Resident

Questionnaire 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

What year was Bel Air built? Who wrote the Bel Air pledge? Where in St. George's is Bel Air located? How many children were there in the 1st year? Who is Bel Air run by?

Answers 1. 1998. 2. Residents. 3. Calliste. 4. 54. 5. A Board of Directors.

B - Best home in Grenada. E - Everyone is happy here. L - Loving staff. A - we Appreciate donors, parents and friends. I - we Interact well with each other. R - Respect is our watch word. By: Anika Phillip & Melissa Joseph Residents

B e l A i r C hi l d r e n ’s H o m e , C a l l i s t e , G r e n a n d a , We s t I n d i e s w w w. s p i c ei s l e . c o m / b e l a i r h o m e b e l a i r h o m e @ c a r i b s u r f . c o m Ph o n e 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 1 0 0 ; F a x 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 2 2 0