The Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) recently called on corporate citizens, civic organizations and philanthropists to match a $100,000 grant from the Sandals Foundation to fund the completion of the BGGA’s national headquarters. The 6,200-square-foot-building on West Bay Street and Marcus Bethel Way is nearly 80 percent complete.
“For a very long time, we realized that we had outgrown our present headquarters and that to meet the needs of the 21st century we needed a more modern and accommodating facility. We embarked on a fundraising mission a number of years ago to raise the necessary funding to construct such a facility. This building that we are in today is the result of our efforts to date. While it is not complete, we are grateful for all the financial support we’re received thus far,” said Dr Ruth Sumner, President, Bahamas Girl Guides Association, at a recent press conference.
“Today, I would like to say how extremely grateful we are to the Sandals Foundation for this most generous and significant donation. As we try to cross the finish line, I am appealing to corporate Bahamas to please help us realize our goal. This building is important for the continued growth of our organization. It will provide for the efficient management which is grounded in five essential principles: small group work; governance and decision making; balanced and varied programs; care for the individual, and commitment to a common standard, Dr Sumner added.
While thanking the Sandals Foundation for “believing in the empowerment of girls” Dr Sumner noted that the building will facilitate the BGGA’s Girls Empowerment Centre for Leadership and Skills Development as well as residential training for national, regional and international Brownies, Guides, Rangers and their leaders.
Said Nicholas Abruscato, Hotel Manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, of the Sandals Foundation grant:“It is my honour to announce a $100,000 donation to the Bahamas Girl Guides Association on behalf of the Sandals Foundation. This is one of the largest awards the Sandals Foundation has ever provided and it is surely going to one of the finest organizations.
“For more than 100 years, the Bahamas Girl Guides has helped Bahamian women become the leaders and superstars that they are, educators, lawyers, doctors, judges, nurses, business people and athletes. It has helped shape Bahamian mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and friends. It has helped in every way to create the Bahamian women that we know as the backbone of Bahamian society.
“We make this presentation as an offer and a challenge to other corporate citizens who believe in the power and belief to step up and match the donation and put the finishing touches on the building. Our donation is short of the funds needed to complete the project, so we are really looking for our partners in The Bahamas to step up and provide.”
First to take the challenge is the Zonta Club of Nassau. President Sonia Brown, who also sits on the Sandals Foundation’s advisory board and whose private firm designed mechanical and electrical engineering services at the BGGA headquarters, announced that the Club will donate $5,000 to the cause.
“I think Sandals is saying to the rest of The Bahamas, to corporate Bahamas and to other organizations, join with them and the Bahamas Girl Guides Association to make this happen. And this is what we need. We know that the world is an unequal place for women and girls. And so what the Bahamas Girl Guides Association is doing to create leaders and provide the training is exemplary,” Mrs Brown noted.
“Zontians around the world are committed to building a better world for women and girls and that aligns with everything that the Bahamas Girl Guides Association has been doing for over 100 years,” she added.
To donate to the BGGA’s building fund, direct deposit to Bahamas Girl Guides Association, Commonwealth Bank,
Oakes Field Branch – 21103, Account number – 7033236054. For more information, contact Dr Ruth Sumner @ 242.477.0597 or rlsumner@yahoo.com/Mrs Elma Garraway, BGGA Assistant Chief Commissioner @ 242.424.0056.
