NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, and officials from the Children Services Division and Childcare Facilities Unit, Department of Social Services, joined Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, in bringing early Christmas Cheer to the children of the Nazareth Centre – a Children’s Home – during a short visit Thursday (December 17).

Minister Campbell was accompanied by Ms. Kim Sawyer, Acting Director, Department of Social Services; Mrs. Lorraine Duvalier, Assistant Director, Department of Social Services with responsibility for Children’s Services; Ms. Anne Edwards, Assistant Director, Children’s Services; Ms. Regeita Minns, Chief Welfare Officer, Childcare Facilities Unit, and Miss Charlene Fernander, Case Worker assigned to the Nazareth Centre.

Located in Millennium Gardens, New Providence, the Centre was established in 2001 with the goal to provide care and protection for children and is a partnership between the Government of The Bahamas and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. The Centre was officially opened and Blessed on April 28, 2001 and commissioned three years later on April 30, 2004.

Designed to provide a safe home for children who have been hurt or abused, the Centre also provides a warm and caring environment with a relaxed, home-like atmosphere in which the children can be nurtured, and therapeutic play experienced. The Centre is also designed to provide 24Hour care for a maximum of 40 children from infancy to 12 years of age.

Minister Campbell told the children that while the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the way Christmas has been celebrated in the past both locally and globally, Department of Social Services personnel thought it appropriate to find a creative way to continue those celebrations this year, while adhering to all of the protocols established by the Ministry of Health in an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

(Children’s Homes across The Bahamas are usually abuzz with activities in celebration of the Christmas Season, but those events have been placed on hold due to the presence of COVID-19).

“It is Christmas time and during this time we would usually host a number of activities in celebration of the Season, but COVID-19 has changed that to an extent because we have to maintain physical distances and do things differently in order to ensure your safety,” Minister Campbell told the children.

“But while we are doing those things differently, you will still get your presents, you will still get your gifts. Santa Claus has this address on lock and he will be visiting. Again, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”

Minister Campbell and Archbishop Pinder then joined the staff and children of the Centre in singing We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

Acting Director Sawyer told the children that Christmas has always been a special time in the Children’s Homes across The Bahamas.

“In previous years we would welcome many visitors who brought numerous presents with them but while something called COVID-19 prevented that from happening this year, I want you to know that this is still going to be a special Christmas for you and that we are going to do whatever we can to make it that much more special for you and so I want to wish all of you a very, very, very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year,” Ms. Sawyer added.