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The National Enterprise, Education and Development Trust Fund

In October 1997 the National Enterprise, Education and Development (NEED) Trust Fund was developed and set up to provide those who are outside the social and economic net with rapid resources in order to improve their standard of living through education, employment and the development of enterprise.

The main aims of NEED were to :-

• develop social capital
• develop a social relief program
• award educational scholarships
• develop appropiate training programs
• source employment and engage in employment training
• develop and maintain a micro-enterprise program
• lend monies for micro business development
• engage in small business training

In April 1999, the Marcus Garvey Resource and Development Centre was opened to support and expand on the programs under the NEED Trust Fund.

Other programs administered and run under the NEED Trust Fund include:-

Meals on Wheels Programme

The PCW Meals on Wheels Programme was developed to provide a systematic way to cater to the elderly, shut-ins and the disabled in Pinelands and neighbouring communities on Saturdays and Sundays. The programme was officially launched on 7th September 1997, providing meals initially for 23 residents. At present it provides meals to 60 households. Items for the sustainability of the programme are derived mainly from donations from busineeses all over Barbados. Pledges of support are always welcome in order to sustain the effort over the long term.

Text-Book Recycling Program

This programme was started in July 1997 out of a desire to provide parents/guardians of primary school children with much needed school text books. The general public can assist the programme by donating used text-books after their own children have graduated.

Pinelands Emergency Relief Unit

The year 1997 was one filled with varying natural disasters. In light of this, the PCW spearheaded the establishment of an emergency unit which could be activated to assist in any unforseen natural or man-made disasters. Presently the unit has an active membership of fifteen (15) persons who are skilled in the areas of first aid, nursing, radio communications, health inspection safety procedures and food preparation.