The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ELEVEN-year-old Melania Nixon has taken some of her peers along during her ‘Operation Love and Gratitude’ activities. It is a movement the sixth grader started with the intention of inspiring and bringing cheer to everyone she comes into contact with.

The movement first started when Melania wanted to brighten up the day for her 93-year-old grandmother, who had lost mobility in her legs and was unable to attend music recitals or command the dance floor like she used to.

So as a member of the Bahamas Music Academy Orchestra, Melania uplifted her gran’s spirit by playing music for her on her violin. That one act was the spark that launched ‘Operation Love and Gratitude’.

In addition to uplifting others, one of the main things Melania always seeks to do is encourage those around her, especially her peers, to show appreciation for the people who have paved the way.

Several of her school mates from Queen’s College recently joined her at the Demetrius Centre of the Aged in Fox Hill.

During the visit, the students sung praise and worship songs, read scriptures and poems, performed a skit and solos, and entertained the residents with a sign language rendition of the song “Something Inside So Strong”.

For the month of March, the students discussed the importance of leaving a positive legacy, which led to the idea of promoting awareness of the importance of touching the lives of people through community service.

Since Melania’s passion has always been community outreach, having already displayed her efforts through her own non-profit organisation. She thought this presented the perfect opportunity to invite her school mates to partner with her on a visit to a senior citizens home she normally visits.

The weeks leading up to the visit, Melania was able to answer questions asked by her peers about what was expected, whilst helping to eliminate the stigma in the students’ minds attached to home for the elderly.

“One of my main aims is to encourage my peers to partake in some kind of community service, so this mission was like a dream come true. Whilst I go about making an impact in the community, I am proud that my influence, through service, inspired them to come onboard for this wonderful experience. I was very delighted to see them all collaborating leading up to the day of our visit,” Melania told Tribune Woman.

Melania and her school mates did not only showcase their talents during their visit, but also achieved their Widely Important Goal (WIG), which was to donate 100 non-perishable items to the Demetrius Home.

“Based on their interactions at the home I am confident that this won’t be their last visit. I plan to invite as many of my peers to accompany me on another initiative in the very near future, where we can spend more time sharing our love and talents with the seniors,” she said.

Danella Nixon, Melania’s mother, has encouraged her daughter’s efforts since the beginning and is always moved by “kindheartedness, zest and irresistible charm.”

“Her desire to make others feel appreciated even encourages me, even more during our visits. I am baffled when I listen to some of the conversations she has with the seniors, most of whom are twice my age. These persons are not complaining, but rather just being appreciative and thankful for another day; full of gratitude and love. It melts my heart because we sometimes allow the cares of life to remove our sense of gratitude. There is never an occasion where we leave without having a good laugh on the way home whilst reminiscing about our visit,” said Ms Nixon.

“I strongly believe that this initiative has kept Melania grounded and very appreciative daily. I have seen first-hand how Melania has matured and evolved from being a shy child to a very outspoken child who speaks with confidence from the heart. Melania has brought so much joy to our family.”

Melania continues to remain busy with school, preparing for the upcoming GLAT exams, while still balancing her extracurricular activities and keeping up with her passion to spread love and gratitude throughout the community.