The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

URBAN Renewal officials got a glimpse at the real pressures facing many Bahamians yesterday when they spoke to a resident of Pinewood Gardens.

Calvin Fisher, 60, of Plane Street, broke down in tears while telling MP Khaalis Rolle about his family concerns after suffering a stroke and learning he has cancer.

“I just had a stroke and now they tell me I have cancer in my kidney,” said an emotional Mr Fisher, pointing to his abdominal region as he explained the doctor’s diagnosis. “What bothers me,” he added, “is I am the only one working in this house. That’s my only issue. My wife has never worked. I’ve always taken care of things since time exist.”

“He wanted us to pray for him,” said Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, former deputy prime minister.

Indeed, bishops, Mrs Pratt and Mr Rolle laid their hands on the man and prayed, encouraging him to trust in God. Mrs Pratt said her encounter with Mr Fisher proves the value of the work Urban Renewal performs. “We have been to a number of areas and knocked on doors, talking to people to understand their situations,” she said, adding: “The only way to help is to find out what’s going on.”

“A number of church pastors from different churches and young people from the area have walked with us,” she said. “We are concerned about what these people are going through.”

Former cabinet minister, Algernon Allen, also took part in the tour. “We spoke to a person who was once a part of a gang group and he told us that he sees his friends dying one by one everyday and he didn’t want to be a part of that anymore,” said Mr Allen. “That’s the message we are also trying to bring out and we must move about in a nonpartisan pursuit to bring change to the country.”

“This has been an excellent initiative,” said Mr Allen. “Urban Renewal has combined with the Christian Council and persons from the missionary and evangelic community to inform public policy. We want to speak with authority and identify the critical issues in these communities. People are concerned about jobs and crime so there is a united front in the fight to destroy the problematic elements in these communities.”

MP Khalis Rolle said: “It’s very important that we start to solve our problems on the ground. If the ground isn’t touched, the policies and interventions will serve the persons who created them. Why not go door-to-door and talk to people when you have the chance to do so outside of election season?”