By Abisola Abiola

The Nevis Flamboyant Nursing Home recently received another timely donation of appliances, equipment and supplies compliments the St. Kitts and Nevis Circle of Care.

On Tuesday, June 29th, during a brief handing over ceremony held at the Flamboyant Home, President of the Organization, Janet Maynard, disclosed that the items worth over CAN$24,000 are to be distributed to the seniors and members of the community. The gift came shortly after the completion of a two-day training workshop hosted by the Circle of Care for caregivers on Nevis.

The organisation is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political organisation formed in April 2008, when a few dedicated nationals from the Federation decided it was time to give back to the community. Its objective is to enhance the quality of lives for the seniors of St. Kitts and Nevis. The organisation does its fundraising through dance, dinners, silent auctions and through the support of businesses in the community.

Accepting the gift on behalf of his Ministry was Minister with Responsibility for Health and Social Development, Hensley Daniel. He said their gift, the second in two years, was a demonstration of the group’s true dedication. He also registered his profound gratitude to members of the Canada based St. Kitts-Nevis Circle of Care, for their tremendous contribution to the delivery of care to senior citizens on Nevis.

Mr. Daniel said “I believe they have demonstrated on this trip their real commitment. First they had a training programme for the caregivers and now they have topped that up with some well needed supplies. For those of you who work in the services on a daily basis, you are acutely aware of the cost of these items and it is in that regard we wish to give to them a special commendation”.

“Their Circle of care takes in the whole circle, the training and the contribution of the items so that on both levels they have seen it fit to assist our seniors,” he said.

The minister assured the donors that their donations will be put to good use. “It is expected that we care for the seniors because we have been given a hand by you. Please convey to your members our most sincere gratitude for their contribution and tell them they can continue to organise the dinners and the silent auctions because these are the results,” he said

He suggested that the comprehensive programs his ministry has designed for the care of the seniors on Nevis enticed others to contribute. He also commented that many of the seniors had received a new lease on life and as a result their psychosocial functioning has improved because they were aware that there were people all over the world who are interested in their care.

“So I want again to say to all of you that in this work we are looking after people who have looked after us and we owe them a debt of gratitude and as such we want to continue to work with you and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with your organisation,” he said.

Among the items donated were a mechanical lift, incontinent products such as bed pads and briefs, blood pressure monitoring machines, disinfectant for cleaning wheelchairs, floor and other surfaces, feeding cups, reachers, shoes, clothing, wheel chairs and commode.

Also present at the handing over ceremony were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Joslyn Liburd; members of the St. Kitts/Nevis Circle of Care: Director of St. Kitts and Nevis Affairs, Mrs. Linette Liburd; Treasurer Mr. Kenneth Liburd and Vice President Mrs. Alison Prentice Jeffers.