Reflections of a charity

Serving in a charity is never easy. It always seems that there is more to be done than they are people to fulfill the various roles and activities. Attracting and mobilizing volunteers is a never-ending, continuous process that one cannot become weary of doing. Activities have to be planned and coordinated with the various public stakeholders with whom a charity interacts. Yet...

...when you do get a moment to pause and think, even for a little while, the questions come.

1. Are we doing enough of the right things to help those for whom the charity was designed to help?
2. What if family situations change, especially when children are involved, what systems are in place to fill the gap? E.g. Divorces, the death/serious injury of a parent, and the list can go on. 
3. Coming closer to home; what are we doing other than trying to raise funds to help those with Cystic Fibrosis? 
1. Meetings have discussed getting doctors certified to assist sufferers locally and reduce at least the travel expenses of having to commute overseas for medical treatment. 
2. So far, we have been unable to contribute to the global effort of finding a cure. 
3. Our capacity for at least doing a local diagnostic is far from being able to determine if someone genuinely has CF, without them having to travel overseas. 
4. We need new fundraising activities as the public grows bored with the current programs. 
5. Research and development are needed so that we can determine what is needed to enable the foundation to obtain a headquarters, permanent staffing that can interact with the public when volunteers are earning their keep to sustain themselves and their families personally, new sources of donors, sponsors, and other supporters. 
6. Sound and dedicated administration practices and procedures implemented and sustained to ensure compliance of the foundation in a manner that's timely. Ensuring that we can capitalize on every available incentive that saves leakage of funds. 
4. Growing the volunteer base so that committees can be well established, and leadership can be changed on occasion to bring in a fresh perspective from others. 

The work of a charity is too important to be trivialized. Are you willing to step up to the plate and function with integrity and interact as a team player? How committed are you to continuous learning and development of networks? 

Stop and think about how you can make a difference via your contributions. Once you're clear on that contact us via www.cfbarbados.org we can use your help. 

The demands of a charity

Charities are established for a variety of reasons, often to help someone or a group that has a specific need that is not served or known about in the mainstream society. Those who function within a charitable environment know one thing, the requirements are endless with lots to do and so few to assist in doing the actual work.

Volunteers are a constant need. Often when you find the right one who has the time, skillset, and the greatest of attitudes, along with the willingness to help; they get hired away by individuals/entities who get to see them in action and realize "this one is a keeper".

What are some of the demands that charities experience? Here are some thoughts:

• Great leadership 
• Good governance 
• Accountability 
• Compliance 
• Administration 
• Volunteers 
• Clear mission supported by aims, goals, and objectives 
• Great media access and usage 
• Donors 
• Sponsors 
• Concessions and incentives
• Continued education programs 
• Local and international recognition 

So as not to make this post unwieldy to read the various demands can be explored more in details should the readers make a request that this is what they want. For those of you already in charities, what are your thoughts?

We the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados - Registered Charity 861 exist to assist those who have the illness Cystic Fibrosis, and We are Aware to Care!

The 2017 walk/run fundraiser

Every year The Cffb raises funds for those who have to deal with the challenges associated with Cystic Fibrosis [CF]. These funds help the patients and their families better cope with the financial challenges, which are quite high, associated with caring for the illness.

Every year, the foundation has to draw on the willingness of various individuals, groups, and organizations who volunteer in one way or another to help sufferers cope.

Even when assisting those who are ill, there need to be some moments of levity that helps to bring people together. Without exception, our Walk/Run 2017 was again helpful in further building bonds of friendships. See pictures from this year right here! You can look for your friends and colleagues while contemplating how big your group will be for 2018.

An Organization of Leadership

When The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados first came on the scene, there was a lot of dedication on the part of those who founded the organization. To the onlookers, it seemed like The Cffb grew fast. It was often commented upon that our growth was faster than organizations who were many times our senior due to our age.

Immediately upon its formation, The Cffb was determined to be a leading organization. Parameters for operating was developed and implemented with a team that sought excellence. The leadership was determined to assist those afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis with the best service possible; since there are no doctors on the island who are qualified in cardiac pulmonology.

In Barbados, hardly anyone knew what the illness comprised of, CF was unfamiliar to Barbadians. The Cffb had an uphill task. So how did we get to where we are?

1. We are willing to serve. 
2. We think ahead, planning towards future situations. 
3. We take initiative, preparing to be uncomfortable to ensure the beneficiaries obtain assistance.
4. We function with a character of humility. 
5. We're constantly developing skills with people.
6. We ensure that those who depend on us are covered. 

Despite being a not for profit entity, it is necessary that we are committed to a code of excellence. We believe it necessary to give of our best in all that we do, especially since people's lives and livelihood depend on it. 

We are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados, and we are Aware to Care. 

Volunteering - Key to a Rounded Education

Volunteering is key to the youth as it permits them to gain experiences so often missing from their education. In my more youthful days, opportunities to gain competence in any given area rarely existed in a structured environment, and if they did, they were not readily known. 

Nowadays, there are Caribbean Vocational Qualifications [CVQs] and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence [CCSLC]. We also have the certificates offered by the Cffb to volunteers which speak to the areas within which they volunteered. 

We orchestrate the youth into the activities of the Cffb where they are included in activities of the foundation which permit them to gain experience. This year, we will be enhancing the program where they will be training included before they are released to the public. 

Training will include:

• Information on the Cffb
• Background of cystic fibrosis
• Areas where volunteering are available
• The expectations of a volunteer

It is expected that the training will help them enhance the following:

• Their writing skills
• Their speaking skills
• Their social skills 
• Their planning and organizational skills 

The program offered by the foundation will be ongoing where we will interact with a variety of interested schools. The schools that we have interacted with so far have asked us to continue to do so as they see value in the program. We believe that we are developing young leaders! 

Making a difference with CF care donations

Living with Cystic Fibrosis [CF] does not only affect the individual suffering from the illness, it impacts their family as well. The adaptations of lifestyle are noticed especially when older siblings then have to care for younger ones who may sufferers since they have to be more attentive.

Apart from the excess care of loved ones, financial care is really needed as CF demands that the sufferer takes medication and treatments that are quite expensive; even for a two (2) parent household.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados [Cffb] was established to build awareness, assist with care, and contribute towards finding a cure as capacity is built. Functioning under the slogan of "Aware to Care", The Cffb has been raising funds tirelessly; each year trying to surpass previous levels of contribution as the costs of care continue to escalate.

So far, the assistance being provided is but a trickle by the organization's estimation as so the focus is maintained to build awareness and generate more opportunities for offering care.

Pictured above are parents of children with CF receiving their care package contributions by the Treasurer, Ms. Linda Foster for the year 2015.

In 2017, by the Cffb not having the gala dinner, the organization is faced with the challenge of raising necessary funds to provide for the children whose overseas doctor visits are rapidly approaching. In essence, we want to make a substantial difference in our donations and exceed what we have donated in the past to those families who need urgent assistance.

Getting ready...

When someone has CF their entire life is one of getting ready. With medications in the morning, tapping/the vest they have to wear to free up the mucous, dodging germs, the doctor visits. and the list goes on.

The rest of us who support them also must be ready. That's what we're doing for July 1, 2017. We're getting ready to walk/run for just about 5k to raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis here on the island.

We are The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados and we're Aware to Care. Make contact with us and offer your services, we are always in need of volunteers. Yes, we're always getting ready, since the requirements of caring for someone with CF are tireless; we too must be relentless in our quest to find a cure and to help those suffering to "breathe" a little easier knowing they are cared for by others.