ministryofsocialservices

The Ministry of Social Services, along with the Ministry for Grand Bahama, have initiated an investigation into serious allegations made against a private elderly care facility on Grand Bahama Island.

The accusations have garnered enough concern to prompt a protest outside of a private residence and now the involvement of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The big picture

Phillipa Carey, the granddaughter of an elderly care resident called for help after she accused a caregiver of taking advantage of her grandmother Ingrid Carey who operates the elderly care facility on the island.

Phillipa alleged that Mrs Carey has dementia but Mervie Knowles became her power of attorney, moved into the woman’s residence, and took her NIB pension and survivor’s benefit.

Mervie Knowles admitted to reporters that she did move into the woman’s home but that Carey, gave her permission to do so.

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What the Ministry of Social Services is saying

Since protesters demanded the issue be resolved, the Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Grand Bahama have become involved.

“While we understand the desire for swift inquiry, we must allow the investigative process to proceed so that all facts can be thoroughly examined.

“We are committed to ensuring that in the case where there is egregious behavior and wrongdoing, those responsible are held accountable under the law, and we will take all necessary measures to protect the rights and dignity of our senior citizens.

“We ask for the community’s patience and cooperation as the investigation unfolds. The Ministry of Social Services will continue to monitor the situation closely, and we will keep the public informed of any significant developments.”

Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said his office has reached out to the 30-year-old woman who was left homeless with her three children after eviction from her apartment, and she has since turned down an offer for temporary housing.

Why it matters

Member of Parliament for Englerston Glenys Hanna-Martin criticized the government for its handling of housing issues and rental assistance amidst the pandemic, highlighting the woman’s issue who was recently featured in national news report.

The big story

The mother of a newborn baby, Claudia Grant was featured on Our News on Tuesday night, telling her story of having to resort to sleeping in her car with her children.

Grant said she was left jobless since March at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was eventually left homeless recently after eviction.

Grant said she relies on the assisstance from the national task force and church charities to get by as the fathers of the children are not in their lives.

What Minister Frankie Campbell says

Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell responded to Gleny’s Hanna-Martin, clarifying his ministry’s response to the issue.

“We have found her. We’ve spoken to her and her response to our offer is that she is not interested in anything temporary. She is looking for a more permanent offer and she is awaiting an offer that was extended to her.

“And my office has indicated to her that if that doesn’t work out, we’re still here for [her].”

What the video shows

• The eight-minute-long video shows staff members administering punishment to children in a room where nearly 20 children are gathered.
• A woman dressed in scrubs is the first to issue punishment with a long, flexible stick as children queue to receive punishment.
• Five minutes and 30 seconds into the video, a flailing boy is held down and violently whipped atop a table, as he scrambles to be freed.
• Then a second boy is held down on the floor by three adults, to be whipped.
• Seven minutes into the video, a woman in a wheelchair rolls in, whipping a little boy with a stick as staff members laugh and cajole.

How Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell responds to the video

• Frankie Campbell said the matter will be investigated. “I reassure the public that this matter will be properly investigated. It will be partially investigated.
• “We will leave no stone unturned and we will let the chips fall where they may,” Campbell said.
• “If someone is culpable the chips will fall where they may.”
• “I’ve spoken to the chairman of the board at the Children’s Emergency Hostel (Arthur Peet) and we are on the same page.”
• He added, “I want to thank all who have expressed genuine concern…”

In observance of the 58th Anniversary of the Enactment of the Right of Women to Vote, and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action — the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Zonta Clubs of The Bahamas, and Caribbean Women in Leadership, hosted a special sitting of the House of Assembly for Women in Parliament and presented a Resolution to the Speaker.

The theme of the Resolution, presented Friday, December 11, was “Accelerating the Empowerment and Advancement of Women in Parliamentary Representation, Economic Development and Protection Against Gender-Based Violence.”

Some of the speakers are pictured making presentations in the House of Assembly.

The Department of Social Services is still trying to locate the mother of a baby boy found in an abandoned house at the back of the Church of the Nazarene on East Street.

What happened

• Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, a baby boy who appeared to be approximately four days old, was found wrapped in a blanket at the rear of the church.
• Construction workers found the baby boy and an anonymous caller alerted police.

What neighbors say

67-year-old Edward Fox who lived in the neighbourhood for more than 40 years, told the Nassau Guardian, “Why she want a boyfriend if she can’t take care of children?

“That don’t make any sense. And you don’t know what that child could grow up to be.”

Fox said he has never seen something like this happened in the neighbourhood.

A 52-year-old Linda Darville said, “I don’t know who would do that. I ain’t see nobody. That’s the first time they have ever dropped a baby in the area. I’ve never seen that.”

And 53-year-old Leonard Neely said, “The mothers really need to take more responsibility for their kids. This is a nice, beautiful area, nice community we living through. We don’t have them things happen through here. So, it really shocked the whole community.”

What happens to the child now that he was found

• The child becomes a ward of the state and is in the Children’s Ward at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
• The Ministry of Social Services has the legal right to make decisions for the child.
• The child can enter a children’s home at 6 weeks, where he will most likely end up.
• Adoption will not occur until a relative of the child comes forward.

Social services and police are appealing to the mother to come forward so that she receives the requisite medical care.

Free assistance is given to pregnant women through the Department of Social Services Hotlines: 322-2763 or 422-2763.

A local entrepreneur diagnosed with cerebral palsy is pushing forward and maximizing his potential in the country’s newly established mask industry.

Forty-six-year-old Donald Martin, in a motorized scooter, sells masks to children and adults on Farrington Road, between Eden and Hibiscus Streets.

His roadside operation caught the attention of Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell, who while returning from a meeting, saw Martin and made a few purchases.

“Mr. Martin should serve as an inspiration for all persons because there he is with what some people may consider a legitimate excuse or reason – if he wanted it to be one – to not take advantage of this growing industry due to the fact that he is living with a disability,” Campbell said.

Mr. Martin said he is thankful for the opportunity for entrepreneurship and said his disability will not limit him.

“I thank God for life. You have some up days when business is booming and then you have some days when business is not as good as the others, but in all things, you give thanks to God.

“I have never given up on life because everybody has some challenges in life; you just have to be able to put them aside.

Moved by Martin’s entrepreneurial pursuit, Campbell said Martin serves as a motivation.

“He is out here assisting himself, taking full advantage of an opportunity for entrepreneurship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a government decision to place some restrictions on the importation of masks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Bahamas, and instead offer those opportunities to Bahamian entrepreneurs.”

Martin also offers digital services. Campbell said his ministry will help to “empower him.”