RED TAPE IS entangling the efforts of some members of the diaspora who want to give back to their homeland.
Representatives from the New York-based Association of Aid for the Physically Challenged Children of Barbados made the assertion yesterday ahead of a $2 000 donation to the Thelma Vaughn Home in The Glebe, St George.
“It is extremely difficult to provide assistance with good, new materials when you have a lot of clearance problems,” local representative Frederick Forde told the SATURDAY?SUN.
“We still have things to contribute, but it has been two to three months that we have been waiting for them to clear [from the Bridgetown Port].”
Member Margaret Walters said the additional items included assistive devices for the physically challenged, including wheelchairs, walkers and canes as well as commodes and bathtubs. The items were to be donated to the National Disabilities Unit.
Past president Euston Stewart added that it was a problem they had faced before and explained that funds were raised through dances and cocktail sips.
Started in 1972, the organization had been donating to Barbadians with special physical needs “more or less” every year.
Assistant matron at the Thelma Vaughn Home, Eleanor Beckles, thanked the three representatives on behalf of the staff and administration. The Association of Aid for the Physically Challenged Children of Barbados provided assistance to The Glebe facility in the past, as well as to the Sterling and Farrs children’s homes.
(LW)