In an effort to improve the lives of Bahamian children living without the support of their parents, the Bahamas Insurance Brokerage Association (BIBA) made a financial donation to The Children’s Emergency Hostel, and The Ranfurly Home.

BIBA President, Tanya Woodside, said in recognition of the organisation’s 11th anniversary, it was inspired to reach out to the community as good corporate sponsors to give back in a positive way to touch the lives of the less fortunate.

“While there were many charities that we could have selected, we chose to give support to The Children’s Emergency Hostel and The Ranfurly Home for Children because of their stellar service and commitment to providing caring homes for young children who are homeless and oftentimes either abandoned or abused by family and loved ones,” she said.

“These homes represent a safe haven, where the children are loved and inspired to believe that they can achieve great things in their lives – the sky is the limit!”
Marita Ferguson, administrator of The Children’s Emergency Home said, “This donation will go a long way in assisting with the maintenance of the organization and directly investing in our children, and we are thankful.”

“Presently, there are 29 children living at this home. We have to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for them, they are all in school and have to take lunch. We also consistently need pampers, and wipes for the babies. This is a home, so whatever you need, just multiply it by 29,” she added.
The second donation was presented to Alexander Roberts, administrator of The Ranfurly Home For Children.

“We are so grateful to The Bahamas Insurance Brokers Association for this gift. The Ranfurly Home is the only private home in The Bahamas, so we depend almost entirely on the kindness and generosity of corporate and individual donors. We are grateful for these kinds of gestures.”

As Ms. Woodside put it, these children represent our future insurance executives, managers, underwriters, brokers, agents, actuaries and business owners.

“The insurance industry offers a wealth of career opportunities and now more than ever, we need young people to think beyond becoming just doctors and lawyers and instead seek non-traditional professions,” she said.

“In the month of October, our members will take this message to several of the local high schools in Nassau, in the form of “my job talks” highlighting the various insurance professions.”

Additionally, October 21-27 will be designated BIBA Week, starting off with a church service at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, followed by a two-day Educational Conference & Panel Discussion, wine tasting Mix & Mingle and closing with a special presentation from the collection of an industry wide Can Food Drive.

The association will also run a series of public service announcements and articles regarding insurance education, products and healthy lifestyle tips for the general public and host a Risk Management seminar facilitated by Ernst & Young on October 9, at the British Colonial Hilton.

“At BIBA, we take seriously our responsibility to protect the interest of our clients, our members and the community at large to ensure that whatever we do is ethical and conductive to “goodwill for all,” Ms. Woodside said.
Established in September 2001, the BIBA is a non-profit professional organization consisting of member companies that are licensed “intermediaries” registered with the Insurance Commission of The Bahamas.