The Tribune

LOCAL entertainers recently surprised staff at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and the Department of Social Services with lunch.

Singer, songwriter and producer Julien Believe, disc jockeys and entrepreneurs The Mighty Pencil and Dion “Da Butcher” Knowles and entrepreneur Josh Miller delivered the surprise.

Physical distancing protocols and other safety measures as dictated by the Ministry of Health, were adhered to during the visit, a press release noted.

Employees from the Department of Gender and Family Affairs and the Department of Rehabilitative Welfare Services also benefited from the treat which served as a “thank you” for the yeoman’s work employees have done in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, while still providing assistance and services to their regular clients. A similar presentation took place at the Department of Social Services Head Office located on Baillou Hill Road.

Several local companies aided the venture as well.

Julian Believe, who spoke on behalf of the partnership, explained the reason for the gesture. “This is bigger than just me. It is a team effort,” he said. “We have been distributing food to a number of persons affected by COVID-19 and a lot of times, the real heroes do not get the kind of credit they deserve and go unnoticed. I consulted with my team with a view to doing something special for the country’s social service providers and we decided that we wanted to treat you to lunch today just to show our appreciation for the work that you do.

“We could not say thank you enough. We are very appreciative for what you do, and of your contributions to our country and to those who are not in a position to help themselves. We trust that you will continue to stay motivated. We love you and are very, very grateful for the services that you provide.”

Phedra Rahming, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, thanked the local celebrities and their partners, for the show of appreciation.

“In addition to the assistance and services they provide to our regular clients, employees across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas have been in the trenches working, providing additional assistance and services to qualifying Bahamians, since Hurricane Dorian,” Ms Rahming said. “Post Hurricane Dorian, we still have two shelters open, and those persons have still answered the national call to provide social assistance to those persons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is truly good to know that their efforts are appreciated because very often you hear such negative comments and persons do not appreciate that we are working with what we have as best as we are able.”

Ms Rahming made this promise: “I will say to you here present today, and to the general public at-large, that change is coming to Social Services. It’s happening incrementally, but we want you to keep your eyes on us in the future because we intend to deliver.”