Bel Air

Newsletter February 2006

B el A i r C h i l d r e n ’s H o m e , C al l i s t e , G r e n a d a , We s t I n d i e s w w w. s p i c e i s l e . c o m / b e l a i r h o m e
b e l a i r h o m e @ c a r i b s u r f . c o m Ph o n e 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 1 0 0 ; F a x 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 2 2 0

President’s Notes
By Paddy Ross

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2006 is here and I wish all those who read this newsletter a happy and
blessed New Year.
1 President’s Notes You will read later on in this newsletter of the performance that our
staff and residents put on last November in conjunction with the Finding
1 Manager’s Matters Smiles group from St George’s University. It was a huge success and
made us all very proud to be associated with Bel Air. Sharon Davis and
2 Resident’s Experiences her staff must be congratulated on the advances that have been made in
the general demeanour of the Home and its residents over the recent
3 Picture Gallery
years. Bel Air is seven years old this month.
4 Trip to St. Lucia But life is not without its problems. As the adolescent girls grow up, they
have nowhere to go when they reach 18 and technically are no longer
our responsibility. Some go to NEWLO while some others find
employment but they have nowhere to live and support themselves.
The Board of Bel Air has decided to address this problem with a project
that we are calling “Moving On”. The concept is to give the girls the
“.. made us all very proud to opportunity to develop their independence and adulthood but in a
be associated with Bel Air Please see President’s Notes on page 2
..Sharon Davis and her staff
must be congratulated”
Manager’s Matters
By Sharon Davis
Since joining the ranks at Bel Air in 2000, the road has not been an easy
one but from September 2004 to 31st December, 2005 it has been
challenging mentally, physically and emotionally. I thank God for a New
Year and wish for a new beginning. Paul said in Philippians “but one thing
I do, forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I
press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me,
heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” There is no physical prize or awards we
can obtain from working with our damaged children of the nation. It is
not a job that brings great accolades and recognition. I/we may not even
see the changes we have caused in these vulnerable lives. Knowing that I
have been strategically placed and positioned for such a time as now,
using God given talents, skills and knowledge is personally rewarding. To
see a child’s feet corrected that she could wear shoes and walk
From the Nursery “normally” for the first time in her 10 years of life, to hear an adolescent
affirm that she is special afterPlease
sexualsee
abuse has been
Manager’s Against
Matters her
on page
underdeveloped body, to hear a staff member say that being physical 2in
showing love is not “her thing” and then seeing the same person give
hugs and kisses to a child, to have a young person leave and then return
as an employee to teach and encourage others, this is what it’s all about
and much more…….
 Page 2
“There were over one
hundred and fifty persons
present…. that night I was
so frightened when I saw all
the people in front of me t”
A Trip down Memory Lane
Anicar (in white) at the
Princess Elizabeth Children’s
Home in Trinidad
Bel Air Newsletter
Resident’s Experiences
FINDING SMILES CONCERT
I will tell you how the Finding Smiles Concert came about. A student of
the St. George’s University in Grenada came to the home and was
introduced to me, Kisha Mc Farlane, a past resident of the Bel Air Home.
We both saw the talent in the children of the home and thought that we
could host a show to raise funds for the home. We brought our idea to
the children and Management, who thought it was a good idea. The show
was scheduled for November 12, 2005 in the Bell Lecture Hall at St.
George’s University. It took a lot of hard work, dedication and
commitment and the children had to practise both night and day, going to
bed tired knowing that the next day would be another day of practice.
However, we made it through, the day came and everybody was ready for
the show. The theme of the show was “Grenada United”. We depicted
Grenada before, during and after Hurricane Ivan. The girls performed
dances, drama and songs. We had appearances by a gospel singer as well
as students of the University. Some of our guests included Her Excellency
Lady Williams. The show was a great success.
By: Kisha - Past Resident
There were over one hundred and fifty persons present. There were four
dances, two acts, a poem and two songs. That night I was so frightened
when I saw all the people in front of me. I took part in three dances. I
was glad to have that show. I wish we will have another show.
By: Camella - Resident
Please see more Resident’s Experiences on page 4
President’s Notes from page 1
controlled environment. This process will be phased with a new small
residence which would accommodate three to four girls under the care of
a house mother but also three “chattel style” wooden houses that could
accommodate one or two girls in each. The girls in these houses would
also be under the eye of the housemother, would be guided in
independent living, but be responsible for their own food and utility bills.
We are looking for a site near to Bel Air which would be big enough for all
these buildings, ideally between a half and three quarters of an acre.
All this will cost money so a proper proposal will be drawn up and costed
to form a basis for fundraising. You have been warned! We are “Moving
on”. And in conclusion, thank you for your continued interest and support
without which the Home would not be what it is to-day
Manager’s Matters from page 1
 Bel Air Newsletter Page 3

Picture Gallery

Christmas….. …..Time At….. …….Bel Air

Some of the participants in the St. Lucia

Youth Camp.
(Check out our own Manager Sharon
Davis 2nd from left standing)

A Depressed Child’s Cry

By Kisha. A Past Resident
Oh Lord almighty,
You know my strength, weakness and sadness,
Lord, you know me both inside and outside,
Oh God, I have shamed myself and you,
But Father, whatever I went through,
You walk with me day and night, and that’s true.
Some days, Lord, I feel so stressed, depressed and lonely,
It’s just like a blank space, but you fill the rest.
Help me to forgive myself and my enemy too,
Help them to see even I can become what you want me to.
Wipe away my tears, help me through my fears. “On Saturday 16th July
When my enemies attack, help me to fight back, some of the other residents,
Not with false words and not with my hands, staff and I went to St. Lucia
But with your words to protect my heart. to a Christian Youth Camp.
Help me to forgive them even though the things they might say may ruin On the plane I felt very
my day.
scared”
Lord, for I say I tried everything and everything failed me,
But when I tried God he protect, guide and comfort me.
And Father, for that I can open my eyes and see,
What a sweet wonderful and mighty God you can be. Amen. From Resident’s Experiences
 Page 4 Bel Air Newsletter

Resident’s Experiences from page 2 also told us that it would take us fifteen minutes to get
to St. Lucia from Trinidad. When we arrived in St. Lucia
TRIP TO ST. LUCIA we went through immigration then went outside to wait
for the bus. When we arrived at camp a girl took the Bel
Air group to get yellow hand bands. Ms. Sharon went to
On Saturday 16th July some of the other residents, staff and I
ask the leader if we could leave the compound and she
went to St. Lucia to a Christian Youth Camp. On the plane I
said we could not because it will be too dangerous. We
felt very scared. There were thirteen islands present. It was
then went around and asked the others their names and
held in Castries and the theme for the camp was “Strategically
made new friends while the staff went to get food for us.
Positioned”. We had a Grand Opening in the hall the day after
On Sunday 17th we had the Grand Opening and
we arrived and had dinner. I saw beautiful things in St. Lucia
orientation. Thursday 21st we went on a shopping trip.
and the other girls invited us to their dorms. I made lots of
We had other activities such as an island tour, sight
friends in St. Lucia. We went to the kitchen to help share
seeing, beach lime, culture night and banquet night. On
dinner and also helped to pick up and wash dishes. We had
Sunday 24th we had a worship service. On Friday 29th,
culture night. We went to the beach and the next day we
the last day, we played water fighter then it was time for
went shopping in town. We went to the chapel to have praise
farewells. We arrived back home in the night. It was a
and worship. We went on an island tour. We played sports
wonderful experience.
outside on the field. We went to a show in town, I felt very
excited. We had a concert and some of us went to the
By: Sarana - Resident
banquet. I learnt how to praise the Lord. My experience was
very nice.
We went with Caribbean Star. The airhostess told us it
would take thirty-five minutes to get to Trinidad. In
By: Wendy Ann - Resident
Trinidad we transferred to another Caribbean Star plane.
I felt excited on the plane. In St. Lucia we got off the
In the morning the girls who were leaving for the two week
plane, collected our luggage then went to wait for the
vacation had breakfast then hugged everybody. We took our
bus, which took us to the Castries Comprehensive
luggage and four of the girls went with Ms. Sharon in the bus
Secondary School where the camp was. When we arrived
and five stayed back. She then came back for the other five
there we had to register before we went to our dorms.
girls to take to the airport. At the airport I saw Ms. Barbara
The next day we got to meet the others and know their
and I was very happy when I saw her. I went to the washroom
names. We had to go in the chapel for Praise and
and when I came back I saw Mr. Andy checking in the Bel Air
Worship then we had a ten minute break. We had things
group. We had something to eat while we were waiting for the
like Praise and Worship, calling gifts, recurrent session,
plane then went in to sit. The number was called and then we
siesta, entertainment, Christianity, sports, recreation
went on the plane. When I was getting on the plane I was very
etc. On camp we had thirteen islands represented with
happy, it was my first time on a plane. We go things to eat on
four hundred and fifty-three persons attending
the plane and when I looked out we were almost in Trinidad.
altogether. The theme for camp was “Strategically
We took another plane in Trinidad. The air hostess explained
Positioned”. It was a great experience and lots of fun.
the security needs to us before we took off, what to do when
and if there was danger and how to put on our seat belt. She
By: Anaisa - Resident

Think
Think what life can bring, …there might be a reaction,
When overwhelmed, sometimes we sing, So, think, don’t send your life in
Think hard before reacting, think. retraction.

Think when someone wrongs you, Yes, think, think and think again,
Maybe, you, one day wronged someone too. Before your action…..
A frown, or a smile. To hit or be mild. cause you too much pain,
Think. Think of course before you act,
Yes, think before you speak, that’s a real
Think what is my next best move, wise fact.
Think, don’t put someone out of groove.
Think, to every action, By Barbara - Staff

B e l A i r C hi l d r e n ’s H o m e , C a l l i s t e , G r e n a n d a , We s t I n d i e s w w w. s p i c ei s l e . c o m / b e l a i r h o m e
b e l a i r h o m e @ c a r i b s u r f . c o m Ph o n e 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 1 0 0 ; F a x 1 - ( 4 7 3 ) 4 4 4 - 5 2 2 0