Optimist Club New Harbour Village aids Dare to Care HIV programme

The club’s initiative dubbed ‘Giving Back to the Labourers of Love’ saw each of the 42 female caregivers receiving Mother’s Day tokens, while the wards received much needed food supplies and personal care items.

“The club donated 42 bottles of wines and two cakes to fete the caregivers. Additionally they donated food items which included canned meats such as sardines and corned beef, flour, sugar, rice, cornmeal, assorted canned peas and beans. Personal care items such as lotions, cologne, liquid soaps and other toiletries were also contributed,” said the organisers. 

The Optimist Club of New Harbour Village is a non-profit organization aligned to Optimist International. The club since its inception in 2017 has made significant contributions to the Dare to Care HIV Programme.

The Dare to Care HIV Programme started in September 2000 and caters to person from the age of 3-24 years living with HIV.

The manager of the programe Natasha Gabbidon-Malcolm was overjoyed for the donations as regular donations were on the decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “Words cannot express her appreciation of the items that were donated as they came as an answer to a prayer. They came at just in the nick of time.”

President Paulstan Francis said: “This initiative, though not the first, was most special for the club as we were ensuring that on this special day – Mother’s Day we showed our love and appreciation to the caregivers who give of themselves each day to the wards.”