... implements self-financing initiatives

ANGIE BARTON, a member of the operations team at Ebenezer Home, says that it costs approximately $400,000-$500,000 per month to keep the facility fully operational even with the new projects implemented to sustain the home.

“Livestock-rearing and crop-farming have been introduced with the dual aim of reducing the overall operational cost, while providing useful rehabilitation and psychotherapy for the men,” Barton disclosed. “Under this rehabilitation programme, the men, with supervision, raise 13 goats, a broiler-layer operation, and two cows, one of which had to be sold hastily to keep the home running.”

Operations Manager Paulette Wheeler added that though they were happy for the help with staffing costs that they had been receiving from the board of supervision, partnering agencies, and the Southern Regional Health Authority, there were employees at the home who didn’t get paid and

the needs of the home superseded what they were able to collect.

“This is a community-based initiative, and I want the community to be more involved. I want people to also remove the stigma associated with mental illness because it can happen to anyone. It starts with depression,” said Wheeler. “The needs are great, and we have engaged Food For the Poor to help with an expansion, but that can’t take place until we get some help.”

The home is currently seeking help through fundraising efforts, voluntary social work, donations of medical supplies, and cash.