7-year-old Naevia Burrows is a small child with the heart of a giant – the 3rd grader has been saving her school lunch money for nearly a year, donating every month to the Bahamas Feeding Network so other children won’t go hungry.

She began wanting to help when she saw the line outside its headquarters on Fox Hill Road on a food distribution day.

“We were driving by on our way to school at St. Anne’s when Naevia asked me, ‘Mom, why are all those people standing in that long line?’ I explained they were at the Bahamas Feeding Network waiting to get food,” said Nakeisha Burrows.

“Do you mean they do not have food for dinner?” the child asked. Her mom said that’s right.

“What can I do?” Naevia wanted to know. “If I save my money, I can give it to the people who need it. I don’t want people to go hungry.”

In a family where giving back to community is a standard practice and a topic of nightly conversation, little did Naevia realize that her dad, Carrington Burrows, had been volunteering at the feeding network’s distribution centre during COVID.

When school reopened following the pandemic, the young girl, then in Grade 2, and with Mom’s help, opted to bring lunch from home four days a week, putting aside the dollars she would have spent, and presenting the savings, $60 a month, to BFN. She did allow herself the treat of pizza Fridays. 

But the money she saved and donated was enough to help fill grocery bags and boxes to support two families. Now that she is in third grade, her parents agreed to add to the monthly donation to cover enough groceries for three families. Next year, Mrs. Burrows said, they will up it to four, matching each grade number with the number of families they will embrace through the non-government organization that has provided food for millions of meals since it opened its doors in 2013.

BFN distributes groceries and coupons through a network of nearly 100 churches and feeding centres in Nassau, Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco.   

“I am grateful every day for the food on my table,” said Naevia. “I say a prayer and blessing and I don’t want other families to be hungry.” To encourage classmates to give, she had a special t-shirt made asking others to join her.

Says her mom, “She’s always been a giver from the heart. She’s a very special little girl.”

The name, Naevia, comes from warrior of Spartacus who helped to free the slaves.   

7-year-old Naevia Burrows is a small child with the heart of a giant – the 3rd grader has been saving her school lunch money for nearly a year, donating every month to the Bahamas Feeding Network so other children won’t go hungry. She began wanting to help when she saw the line outside its headquarters on Fox Hill Road on a food distribution day. “We were driving by on our way to school at St. Anne’s when Naevia asked me, ‘Mom, why are all those people standing in that long line?’ I explained they were at the Bahamas Feeding Network waiting to get food,” said Nakeisha Burrows. “Do you mean they do not have food for dinner?” the child asked. Her mom said that’s right. “What can I do?” Naevia wanted to know. “If I save my money, I can give it to the people who need it. I don’t want people to go hungry.” In a family where giving back to community is a standard practice and a topic of nightly conversation, little did Naevia realize that her dad, Carrington Burrows, had been volunteering at the feeding network’s distribution centre during COVID. When school reopened following the pandemic, the young girl, then in Grade 2, and with Mom’s help, opted to bring lunch from home four days a week, putting aside the dollars she would have spent, and presenting the savings, $60 a month, to BFN. She did allow herself the treat of pizza Fridays.   But the money she saved and donated was enough to help fill grocery bags and boxes to support two families. Now that she is in third grade, her parents agreed to add to the monthly donation to cover enough groceries for three families. Next year, Mrs. Burrows said, they will up it to four, matching each grade number with the number of families they will embrace through the non-government organization that has provided food for millions of meals since it opened its doors in 2013. BFN distributes groceries and coupons through a network of nearly 100 churches and feeding centres in Nassau, Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco.     “I am grateful every day for the food on my table,” said Naevia. “I say a prayer and blessing and I don’t want other families to be hungry.” To encourage classmates to give, she had a special t-shirt made asking others to join her. Says her mom, “She’s always been a giver from the heart. She’s a very special little girl.” The name, Naevia, comes from warrior of Spartacus who helped to free the slaves.   

Education is the key to a brighter future. Colina teamed up with Reach out Youth Organization on a back-to-school giveaway to spread love in Grand Bahama and ensure every child starts the school year with confidence. The team purchased and distributed school supplies, back packs, snacks and uniforms.

“Some residents in Grand Bahama are still hurting and [had] difficulty getting their children ready for the new school year,” said Dudley Seide, President, Reach Out Youth Organization. “Our organization with the help of partners like Colina, stepped in to assist as many families and children as we could get the necessary supplies for school.”

“Kudos to the Reach Out Youth Organization for spearheading this initiative,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina. “At Colina, we are committed to youth education and development in The Commonwealth.”

“Grand Bahama is still on the rebound, so when Mr. Seide reached out to Colina for support, I knew that we had to assist kids in need get ready for school,” said Sandradee, Manager, Colina, Freeport Branch. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they received their back-to-school packages was priceless.”

The event was held on Friday, August 25.

About Reach Out Grand Bahama
Reach Out Grand Bahama is a non-profit organization geared towards positively impacting the lives of the underprivileged youth of Grand Bahama. Having grown up with many of the same challenges faced by the young people we serve; Dudley was inspired to make a difference and give back to the community. In 2007, with Katie, his wife of 13 years, Reach Out Grand Bahama was born. At Reach Out young people of Grand Bahama are offered a variety of programs, events, and activities that encourage, engage, and keep them involved and working to reach their full potential. Reach Out has grown and now serves the entire community: Helping wherever the need arises: Disaster relief and Pandemic assistance.

About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina)
Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past century to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

Education is the key to a brighter future. Colina teamed up with Reach out Youth Organization on a back-to-school giveaway to spread love in Grand Bahama and ensure every child starts the school year with confidence. The team purchased and distributed school supplies, back packs, snacks and uniforms. “Some residents in Grand Bahama are still hurting and [had] difficulty getting their children ready for the new school year,” said Dudley Seide, President, Reach Out Youth Organization. “Our organization with the help of partners like Colina, stepped in to assist as many families and children as we could get the necessary supplies for school.” “Kudos to the Reach Out Youth Organization for spearheading this initiative,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina. “At Colina, we are committed to youth education and development in The Commonwealth.” “Grand Bahama is still on the rebound, so when Mr. Seide reached out to Colina for support, I knew that we had to assist kids in need get ready for school,” said Sandradee, Manager, Colina, Freeport Branch. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they received their back-to-school packages was priceless.” The event was held on Friday, August 25. About Reach Out Grand Bahama Reach Out Grand Bahama is a non-profit organization geared towards positively impacting the lives of the underprivileged youth of Grand Bahama. Having grown up with many of the same challenges faced by the young people we serve; Dudley was inspired to make a difference and give back to the community. In 2007, with Katie, his wife of 13 years, Reach Out Grand Bahama was born. At Reach Out young people of Grand Bahama are offered a variety of programs, events, and activities that encourage, engage, and keep them involved and working to reach their full potential. Reach Out has grown and now serves the entire community: Helping wherever the need arises: Disaster relief and Pandemic assistance. About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past century to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China donated music instruments to the Urban Renewal Commission, August 24, 2023 at the Chinese Embassy.  Pictured from left: Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development Permanent Secretary Joel Lewis; Chinese Ambassador Her Excellency Dai Qingli; Minister of Social Services and Urban Development the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; Social Services and Urban Development Permanent Secretary Prenell King-Rolle; and Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Cui Wei. 

It’s back again- The Annual Edwin Smiley Bastian Steak Out organized by The Rotary Club of South-East Nassau (RCSEN) and Rotaract Club of South-East Nassau Centennial takes place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from Noon to 6 PM at the Bahamas National Trust.

Delicious steak or chicken dinners offered with sides are $15.00. Tickets can be ordered or picked up from any of the members of the RCSEN.  WhatsApp: 557-1584, 424-6795 or 808-7701.

Part Proceeds will help with many of the club's service projects.  We are Rotarians #CookingForGood Causes.

It’s back again- The Annual Edwin Smiley Bastian Steak Out organized by The Rotary Club of South-East Nassau (RCSEN) and Rotaract Club of South-East Nassau Centennial takes place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from Noon to 6 PM at the Bahamas National Trust. Delicious steak or chicken dinners offered with sides are $15.00. Tickets can be ordered or picked up from any of the members of the RCSEN.  WhatsApp: 557-1584, 424-6795 or 808-7701. Part Proceeds will help with many of the club's service projects.  We are Rotarians #CookingForGood Causes.