The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE women that make up the Lignum Vitae Centre of Hope are inviting people to join them this Thursday as they introduce the first instalment of a series of fundraising events in aid of the organisation which hopes to make a positive impact on Bahamian society.

Calling it “Women, Wine & Movies”, this week’s event takes the form of a movie screening of the Woody Allen film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” at the Island House Cinema on Mahogany Hill, Western Road, beginning 7pm. With the minimum donation of $75, patrons will enjoy complimentary glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Lignum Vitae chairperson Shelagh Pritchard is hoping the upcoming event will set the tone for the many activities to follow this year.

“In terms of fundraising events, it can sometimes be difficult to stand out in the crowd and entice participation. While others have hosted movie fundraising events, it’s not something we feel has become over-saturated. We haven’t decided what the next ‘Women, Wine &….’ event will be, but we hope it will be something creative and exciting,” she said.

The Lignum Vitae Centre of Hope (LVCH) is a Bahamian nonprofit organisation committed to bringing about positive social change in the Bahamas. They recognise the importance of encouraging individuals to be responsible for themselves, and note that empowering economically and emotionally depressed citizens within their own community is key to change.

Members of LVCH demonstrate this belief by participating whenever they can in community events. On December 2007, the 16 founding members of LVCH agreed that “participation in quality youth programmes and neighbourhood-based activities is a good thing for young people and their families.”

It was at a brainstorming board meeting where Mrs Pritchard came up with the tagline for hosting a series of events in support of the organisation. She said they are not sure what will come next, but they would like guests to always have a unique experience.

“The movie we chose, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, is great. I like to consider it a satirical romantic comedy. While you might see the ending coming, the road leading there is not as predictable. It’s not a widely known film so we hope enough people will be intrigued to come on out to watch it. Finally, the Island House is a beautiful venue, and while the drive might be a bit long for the easterners, we believe the overall experience will be worth it,” said Mrs Pritchard.

Karla Wells-Lisgaris, LVCH board member, said the fundraising events held by the group over the past five years have encouraged the Nassau community to come together to celebrate music and life with events such as “Cinco de Mayo” at Old Fort Bay, “Strings under Stars” at Montagu Harbour, “A Family Winterfest” at Club Waterloo, and the “Women” series, which will invite women to participate in the ongoing discussion of “Women in our society”; how their lives are impacted by societal challenges and what they can do to improve those who are disadvantaged.

“I believe in the work that Lignum Vitae is seeking to achieve. We are relatively young, but our goals are extremely positive. Although it might sound like a cliché, children really are the future. Unfortunately not every child has access to the same opportunities. Through our 4H clubs we are seeking to expose children of all ages and backgrounds to concepts that they might not otherwise have access to. Not only do they learn new topics, they develop a sense of ownership of their experiences,” said Mrs Wells-Lisgaris.

“Similarly, with our Hands Up programme we are providing women with practical life skills to get them on their feet again. With that in mind, I am happy to be on board with this organisation which is seeking to make a difference in the landscape of our country. We are all aware of the challenges we are facing as a nation, however, these troubling trends are not irreversible; every positive step in the right direction is advancement. We truly believe that we can make a difference through every child who participates in 4H and every woman who joins us in Hands Up.”

At the event this Thursday, she hopes to talk with guests and provide them with more information on the work of the LVCH.