By ALESHA CADET
Tribune Features Reporter
acadet@tribunemedia.net
WITH a mission to take a stand and bring about change, awareness and safety for children who are victims of abuse, a determined Bahamian woman started an organisation called “Operation SOLD: Save Our Little Darlings.”
It was over eight years ago when Christine Stubbs first launched her initiative to advocate for the many Bahamians children who are being sexually abused and assaulted.
“I had to do this because there are too many of our Bahamian children that are being raped and abused. I felt it in my own community. It is stigma when we talk about rape and incest because no one wants to talk about it, but it is affecting a lot of our young girls, and especially our young boys. Each one has to reach one and we can’t leave any kids behind,” she told Tribune Woman.
Ordained as a pastor in Miami, Florida under the auspices of Pastor Felicia White. Ms Stubbs served as an assistant pastor, pastor of Women’s Fellowship, pastor of Evangelism, and then went on to be an elder and associate pastor for the 5,000 plus congregation at The New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International in Miami.
Since 2011, she has spent her time to reclaim, redevelop and restore her community of Adelaide Village. Her goal is to one day establish and build the Bahamas’ first safe and healthy centre in Nassau, and seven other centres throughout the Family Islands.
She recalled the launch of Operation SOLD in 2006, and how she went door-to-door, providing her mission statement to anyone who would listen. It gave her joy to discover how receptive people were to what she was trying to go with the organisation.
“I started collecting clothing and donations for the little darlings of the Bahamas. I do after-school programmes and summer camps every year for the youths of my community. Now my home is being converted into a library and computer centre for kids,” she said.
“Once a child has been affected verbally, physically, emotionally, sexually, knowing that I cam bring comfort to them, even if its by a simple hug or a prayer, I want to do this. With my expertise in what I do it is a greater call for me to help many of those in the Bahamas who are hurting. We need a safety haven for our kids in this country because too many of our little children need help.”
It brings her joy to see the joy in each and every child she comes into contact with. She encouraged parents to take full responsibility of their kids and to be accountable for whatever troubles they encounter in life.
“A lot of people like to bash men when raising a child, but in some cases it is not always the male at fault. You have parents out there selling their daughters just to pay their rents. With SOLD I just want to continue to make awareness of this, and in 2016 I am headed to New York City to brand and market SOLD. We are going to take this global,” said Ms Stubbs.
Operation SOLD recently hosted its fourth annual black tie gala event, to which the organisation invited all children from inner-city communities and treated them to an elegant evening at the Atlantis Ballroom.
“This event is my baby and we have really progressed. Atlantis welcomed us with open arms because they see what I am doing with the youth, with the babies of the Bahamas. They extended courtesy to me and I am grateful for that,” Ms Stubbs said.
“We invited kids to come and dress up in their best gowns. They came in limousines and their red carpet was ready. They were served with the finest Atlantis banquet staff. We use to invite children from ages seven and up but now the babies are also welcomed. It bloomed into a family event.”
Highlights of the gala included performances by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, the Urban Renewal Band Marching Band, and DJ Counsellor providing musical entertainment.
The organisation also recently received a donation of bicycles and clothing, and Ms Stubbs said these items will be sent off to the southern islands in aid of the Hurricane Joaquin relief efforts.
Readers are encouraged to contact Operation SOLD for more information at Save Our Little Darlings on Facebook, or telephone contact 557-1307 and at their website, http://www.operationsold.org/contact-us.html.
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