Soooooo, a lot of people have been hearing of our initiatives for the first time this week. I guess we have to figure out a way to get the word around (how about you sharing the posts pretty please).

So one of our teams is #OurCarmichael (which you can find via the Facebook search option.

We have successfully organized and host a few initiatives over the last few months and have a lot more in the works.

Here's a brief, who what why!
WHO: We are all volunteers. Nobody gets paid. We are Bahamian and Non-Bahamian, young and old, black, white, Asian, Indian, mixed, Christian, Rastafarian, Hindu and neither, Carmichael residents and non-residents, employed and unemployed, made up of FNM, DNA, PLP, UDP but we've asked everyone to check their politics, religious views and social status at the door. You get the picture?

WHAT: We are trying to rebuild communities with ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things on the ground and in communities. To rebuild communities, we believe we have to address a number of issues, concerns and needs. So we organize several events and initiatives that we feel are interesting enough to get people involved and out of their comfort zone.

WHY: We all (regardless of our politics, nationality status, religion and social status) want to see things CHANGE in The Bahamas for the better and realize that talking has done nothing, while action makes a difference. We aren't big on talking. Boots to the ground! We believe everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. We believe every child should have equal opportunity to do well in school and start a career worthy of their talents. We believe that everyone should be safe from violence, political victimization and sexual predators. We believe the best thing you can do for your people is educate them. We believe more needs to be done for the elderly. We believe more people would be better off in life and in their communities if they took some responsibility for themselves and had the help they needed for a hand-up as opposed to hand-outs.

So here's some of what we do. Feel free to get involved with this MOVEMENT TOWARDS CHANGE.

1. Bingo & Breakfast events
2. Dinner & Movie events
3. Older People Events
4. Job Agency & Job Fair
5. Community Farming
6. Educational and Empowerment Workshops
7. Money Management Workshops
8. Free Legal Workshops
9. Free Medical Workshops
10. Scholarship Assistance Programs
11. Mentorship and Community Activism Workshops

GREAT BAHAMIAN CHALLENGE

So many hands, voices, ideas, volunteers and causes.

 

Don't let anyone tell you that one or two people are behind these ‪#‎OURCARMICHAEL‬ community initiatives. Every single one of these initiatives took about 20 different volunteers to be pulled off successfully.

 

Take for instance the October event - 'Bingo & Breakfast'. Catriona from the Sports Center and Beaumont of Guardian Radio's Changing the Mindset donated all of the gifts that were used as prizes for the cliff hanging bingo games. Johnathon donated all of the yogurt. Happie and Ryan donated all of the donuts. Chef Petty of Island flare donated all of the croissants and came and made omelets to order - out of his pocket. Tara, Kizzy, Cecil, Susan, Vidya and Megan donated all of the drinks from the juices, milk, cases of water to the coffee. Gizelle donated the cutlery, paper plates and cups. Fernella, Don, Patrina and Sarah went around registering and interviewing everyone. Candace and Emey took time out of their busy lives to come out and offer yoga and massages to the elderly - at no cost. So don't let anyone tell you, one or two people made that community initiative happen. Richette, Gizelle, Dionne, Mr. Cumberbatch, Tejada, Megan and Franchesca all got out of their beds at 7am and made presentations to the group to help educate and empower them. It was a TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS that decided to do more than talk about being the change they want to see.

 

Take for instance that November event - 'Dinner and a Movie'. I enjoyed that so much. I've never seen a community outdoor cinema in person. That amazing initiative wasn't organized by one or two persons - so don't let nobody sell you that. It took over 25 volunteers 24 hours of non-stop work to pull that off and we did it with smiles. Dario donated that outdoor cinema setup - just because he supports community initiatives that impact the lives of ordinary people. Abbott Armbrister, a resident of eastern New Providence, knocked off one job at 4pm and came and worked that grill from 4:05 pm to the last person had a hot meal - in his work clothes. Ms, Swanm Ms, Moss, Vidya, young Mr. Newbold, Happie, Fernella and a few others served people a hot meal for hours - own their feet. Half the time, Happie held her two year old in her arms while she served complete strangers dinner. Dionne, Sarah, Kendia, Kristine and so many others donated all of the food - so much that we were able to feed everyone from the community that came. Not a person was turned away. Dr. Quant-Moss, Ms. Stanya Davis and Janelle Cambridge - all professionals came out and made presentations at no cost. Things that people pay hundreds of dollars for - just because they wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves and do more than talk.

 

Now here's this weekend's two initiatives - (1) Job Agency Registration 10am to 2pm at John Chea and (2) Senior's Night Out at 6pm. Once again, don't let anyone tell you that these are the productions of one or two persons. A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS are making all of these initiatives happen successfully. Under the leadership of Fernella, Nadia, Beaumont, Candace, Janelle and a few others will sit in the sun or rain and register everyone from that community that's unemployed and pair them with an employer from within the community. Later that evening, under the leadership of Candace (Ms. Massage the elderly), several volunteers will treat several bus loads of seniors from around New Providence to a Drive-thru Christmas production at the Adventure Learning Centre. A costly event that was funded by volunteers that collectively, in one day raised B$1,800.00 today to contribute towards treating our elderly to some pampering and dignity. Don't let anyone tell you that this was paid for my one or two persons. Erica, JJ, Linda, Dee, Kimberly, 'Nothing but leggs' (yeah that's Sophia's username lol), Dena, Ryan, Celissia (and her coworkers at Going Places), Yasmine, Janelle and Mimi all donated because they wanted to do something for someone else.

 

So, the next time someone says, Ranard is doing some great initiatives in Carmichael, stop them and say, "NO, A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING THOSE GREAT INITIATIVES IN CARMICHAEL".

 

We are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Join us!