The Tribune

By ALBERT COX

URBAN Renewal donated hundreds of books to the Church of God of Prophecy at Palm Tree Avenue and 2nd Street, The Grove, this week in a drive to improve literacy and educational levels in the community.

Bishop Franklin M Ferguson, the National Overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy, was amazed and pleased with the hundreds of books - which had come from schools in Florida - were presented on Wednesday. “These books will be used throughout our centres to share and enhance the knowledge base of the children coming to our churches, especially throughout the summer,” he said. “These books vary from the primary to high school level, which cover a wide range of topics, from mathematics, science, language, the arts, adventure and great literary books to expand their thinking and learning abilities. There is much to be said for this honour.

“I must reiterate how we appreciate humbly the work that Urban Renewal is doing throughout the community, along with how great this will add to how we are able to help and influence the children in a positive manner. As we all agree, education is the key to any country and developing society, so I must say this is great works being done that we will be able to continue to do God’s work spiritually and educationally with these added tools that will strengthen our outreach programmes toward the children.”

Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, the Co-chair of Urban Renewal, said: “We understand the importance of education and the powerful affect it has on the minds of children for their self-development. By making this contribution to Church of God of Prophecy, we know that we would be able to assist greatly knowing that summer is here. Church of God of Prophecy as a church has many summer school classes throughout the community, which they would need these tools to be able to communicate and teach extensively to the children. We are delighted to be able to assist in being effective throughout the community to build the minds of the children through these many books.”

She said this was an ongoing Urban Renewal initiative to strengthen Bahamian communities with churches and other influential organisations to assist with the children’s education. “We will be engaging other churches and organisations to filter the tools needed to impact the community in a positive and spirited way to garner greater support to building up our youth,” she said.

“These are books that were sent to us from the Broward County schools, who overhauled their educational system making them fully computerised. They donated around 22 40ft trailers of books, I believe, and educational tools to Urban Renewal to enrich the programmes that we can influence greater productivity. We are grateful for their participation for they help us to make greater contributions toward our society.

“This enormous donation has caused us to reinforce our initiative to distribute these books throughout every sector of the Bahamas, every community, every island and productive organisations for the benefit of our society development in education and the youth.”

Mrs Pratt and the Rt Rev Ferguson were joined by Bishop Anthony T Roker, the Senior Pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy in The Grove and numerous members and administrators of the church at the special event.

Rev Roker said: “I want to thank Urban Renewal for considering us to grant us the added opportunity and assistance we need in our educational area. I accept this presentation on behalf of my wife, Associate Pastor Cecil Knowles and his wife, and Church of God of Prophecy. We will do our part to ensure these books, tools of knowledge, be put to use, extensively enabling more of our education programmes to be more effective throughout the community.”