Beverly Regisford-Henry, president of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian American Adventist Association (VAAA), says the group recently conducted a successful mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The mission trip could be described as successful and rewarding,” Regisford-Henry told Caribbean Life, in an exclusive interview over the weekend, about VAAA’s second mission to her native country.
“Many residents expressed gratitude for the assistance they received,” she added. “The Vincentian American Adventist Association is grateful for the opportunity to give back to its homeland.”
Regisford-Henry quoted Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) in alluding to the mission: “’Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.’
“The VAAA will like to express thanks to all those who contributed in one way or the other to the success of its 2018 mission trip,” she said.
Regisford-Henry said VAAA, in partnership with the local Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Health Professionals, held health fairs at Adelphi in South Windward and Barrouallie in Central Leeward.
She said the medical team, which provided services at the health fairs, included a dentist and dental hygienist, two ophthalmologists, an ear nose and throat specialist, a psychiatrist, and three general practitioners.
“The doctors were supported by a very efficient and hardworking team of nurses,” Regisford-Henry said, disclosing that over 250 patients were seen.
In addition to providing dental cleaning to many nationals, she said the dental team performed over 40 extractions.
Regisford-Henry said a one-day summer day camp was also held at Evesham in the Marriaqua Valley, at which 89 children, ages 5 to 12, participated.
She said each child was given a back-pack with school supplies at the end of the program, and that all children between the ages of 9 and 12 also received a copy of the book, “The Compleat Tween,” by Nancy Van Pelt.
The VAAA president said members visited the St. Benedict’s Children’s Home (orphanage) in Georgetown, the country’s second largest town, in North Central Windward, where gifts were presented to residents and staff.
The institution also received a monetary gift towards its building expansion program, she said.
In addition, Regisford-Henry said VAAA “provided assistance in other tangible ways.”
She said several wheelchairs, walkers, crutches adult pampers and a medical bed were presented to individuals and institutions during the mission, and that care packages containing food items and toiletries were distributed in various communities.
Several items of clothing, towels, curtains and bed linens were also distributed, she said.
A barrel with cleaning supplies and toiletries was donated to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Glen.
“We were also able to purchase eye glasses for a child, and provided financial assistance towards covering the cost of tuition, school books, uniform and transportation for needy students for the current school year,” Regisford-Henry said.
She said one of the highlights of the mission was a week of spiritual revival services at the Layou SDA Church in Central Leeward.
The revival began with an anti-violence march through the streets of Layou, culminating with a rally at Velox Corner in the town, “where several speakers expressed their concerns about the spate of violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Regisford-Henry said.
She said Dr. Fitzroy Maitland, a Grenadian residing in Canada, who had pastored for many years in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was the guest speaker for the revival services.
“Dr. Maitland, in his unique style, encouraged the congregants to get right with God,” Regisford-Henry said.
Eugene Charles also serves as VAAA’s secretary.
