For the second year, five young women that comprise the Goal-den Sisterhood have come together to ensure that as many children as they can help will return to school with much needed school supplies and food which they will dole out at their second annual Back to School Mini Fair and Extravaganza for kindergarten and primary school-aged students.
Last year the women assisted the less fortunate children in the Yellow Elder Gardens community and surrounding neighborhoods. This year they are taking the fair to the Holy Spirit Anglican Church grounds to offer assistance to the children of the Chippingham community and surrounding areas.
"The Goal-den Sisterhood Organization [has] the sole purpose of giving back to the community," said Shavonia Higgs who initially had the urge to engage in community service impressed upon her heart and engaged her friends Brendya Glinton, Phileah Beneby, Kelleta Cartwright and Ajene Heastie with the idea of helping the less fortunate as time drew near for the start of the school year.
"Our mission is to educate, empower and inspire children in The Bahamas to achieve their full potential by rekindling acts of love and service," said Higgs. "There are many parents in our country that face struggles and shortcomings every year, thus impacting their children from reaching grade-level proficiency. We strive to lessen the achievement gap for underserved students by giving core-learning essentials that their children need to start the new school year off right."
School supplies, and food and drink will be given out during the mini fair to be held between 12 noon and 4 p.m., general health screenings (blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, glucose) will also be offered. Even though the intent is of a serious nature, the members of Goal-den Sisterhood have a number of recreational activities planned for the children to allow them to engage in last minute fun before the start of the new academic year. A fire and safety demonstration will provide important information to parents and guardians will also take place. Admission into the event is free.
"This is the second targeted area on our list of inner cities that we wish to positively impact. The purpose is not to eliminate, but to relieve a pressure that some or all may be facing due to financial issues. We envision every child having the best learning opportunities possible, beginning with the tools needed to succeed in the classroom."
Last year the Goal-den Sisterhood was able to provide supplies and food for over 200 children. This year they hope to provide school supplies to 300 children.
Higgs, Glinton, Beneby, Cartwright and Heastie dipped into their own pockets to purchase refreshments, health tools for screenings, food items and school bags. To ensure success they reached out to various companies and individuals to assist them with filling the backpacks. This year, Milo Butler & Sons stepped up to assist with a donation of school bags while Odyssey Aviation, BOSS, The Nassau Guardian Media Group, Island Wholesale, The d'Albenas Agency, Courtesy Supermarket, Caribbean Bottling Company (Coca-Cola), Print Masters, B. Fab Boutique, Beauty Beyond Feelings, Jaya's Barber & Beauty Salon, Snug Corner Bar, Everything Cupcake, E-Z Lite Native Charcoal and a number of individual donors have come on board with the young women to help them ensure that their event is a success.
With two of the young ladies both mothers, they said they know what it feels like when times get rough and they have no idea where the next dollar is coming from.
"Now that we are in a position to help children other than our own, it makes us proud to have an opportunity to witness the smile of an under-served child when they receive our bags of supplies and food," said Higgs.
She said a lot of work and time was required to pull of the mini fair for a second year. For them she said there is no comparison to seeing a child standing in front of them smiling and thanking them for their efforts.
"It is their smiles and gratitude that keeps us going harder every year. For as long as we have health and strength this will be a mission we seek to accomplish every year. People may forget the things you say, but they will never forget how you make them feel. Children are the foundation of our country and everything starts with them if we want a brighter future."
Higgs said she and her friends realize that they cannot change the world, but said they intend to do their part to contribute to society. They encourage you to contribute where you can in whatever way you can.
"You can change the life and future of a child, and that is an incredible blessing, not just for the child, but also for yourself," said Higgs of her group of young women who she described as sisters united in love and service.
Initially each member of Goal-den Sisterhood dipped into their pocket and chipped in with $200 each to produce the start-up capital they needed to get the initiative off the ground. To assist the Goal-den Sisterhood Organization in their initiative email goaldensisterhood@gmail.com.

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