Ranfurly must raise $400,000 or close its doors forever

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE Ranfurly Home may have to close its doors for good after nearly 60 years next month if it is not able to raise the $400,000 needed to keep the orphanage open.

Ranfurly Home President Alexandra Maillis Lynch said yesterday the orphanage has less than $40,000 in its bank account and it takes about $20,000 a month to keep the home up and running.

The Ranfurly Home has been a safe haven for thousands of Bahamian children since 1956, providing shelter and a new life for those who have been orphaned, abused, neglected or abandoned. Today it is caring for 24 children between the ages of five and 19, who have been placed there by the Department of Social Services.

Speaking to The Tribune Mrs Lynch said the home lost a great proportion of its funding over the past year as a result of a number of sources of private funding “drying up” almost simultaneously, or becoming uncertain.

“Anyone who wants to give we will accept any donation. It take us $500,000 a year to run this home and take care of these kids and currently we have $37,000 in our account so you do the math. We have applied for a government increase, as we do every year with both governments, but they continue to decline us because we are independent. But we still ask, we will continue to ask for the children,” she said.

“We only take in kids from the Department of Social Services and we work with them so we know the government is having financial difficulty as well, that is why we are appealing to the private sector as much as possible to subsidise the living expenses as well as other services we think are necessary, such as counselling. We are not fine, we are working very hard and coming up short.”

Mrs Lynch also quashed rumours that the children at the home are “spoiled” and the Ranfurly Home does not need support.

“We are struggling. All the money we receive goes into the children and the home. It is not wasted or squandered,” she said.

“Our books are open, our financials are audited, you can look at how exactly the money is being spent. We have an open door policy, you can look at how exactly the money is being spent. Our children are not spoiled, they are required to do community service, they are barely keeping their heads above ground.

“We are trying to create citizens of a healthy Bahamas. There are still teenagers and they still need clothes and other stuff as well. So if anyone has a swim camp or wants to take them bowling or to the movies or anything fun, please contact us.”

The home accommodates up to 45 children ranging in age from five to 20 and is equipped with three dormitories, a study room, living room, a computer/library centre and a kitchen and dining facility.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can contact the home at 393-3115 or 557-3557.

Comments

CommonSense says...

This is extremely sad. What's even more sad is that the Ranfurly Home has an administrative office (pictured above) that looks better than its dormitories. I was shocked when I went to drop off clothing and how modern the offices are.

On another note, our government would rather spend money on a house for the Prime Minister to entertain in, an increase in MPs salaries, and a host of other foolishness instead of focusing on important things like Education and Social Services. Disgrace. I hope all of us in the private sector step up to the plate and do all that we can to ensure that these children aren't left displaced.

Posted 27 June 2014, 11:09 a.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

No matter which way you slice it, it is not good. My only question as it pertains to the 'maths' in this article is this...

"President Alexandra Maillis Lynch said yesterday the orphanage has less than $40,000 in its bank account and it takes about $20,000 a month to keep the home up and running."

$20,000 x 12 months is $240,000 a year...

"It take us $500,000 a year to run this home and take care of these kids and currently we have $37,000 in our account so you do the math."

So which is it...a quarter million or a half million to run the place for a year?

As I said, it's all sort of irrelevant, because it is bad news either way, but let's get the math right.

Posted 27 June 2014, 11:39 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

In the age of public-private partnership the Ranfurly Home will be a prime candidate. Maybe Bahamar, Albany etc. would be good sponsors OR maybe a Foundation will be in order.

Where are the Governor Ranfurly family who enjoys the name of the school?????

But how come the Home survived in less prosperous times and cannot do so now?????

Posted 27 June 2014, 12:09 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

Maybe they can be granted some $$ from the people's 2% 'BTC Foundation'...LOL

Posted 27 June 2014, 12:43 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Good point!!!!!!......... BID

Posted 27 June 2014, 12:49 p.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

Dear Politician,
"Orphans? We don't need orphans, who let them into the country?" - The reality is that the money needed for these crucial institutions as been absorbed by the system. Lets just take the 8 Mio USD increase in price for the RBDF boats, that would talk care of these orphans as part of our country's future for a while. Trying to build a new parliament house and not being able to provide for electricity for schools and take care of the poorest of the poor - Priorities are wrong. How can you look in the mirror in the morning and sleep at night?

Posted 27 June 2014, 4:18 p.m. Suggest removal

carlh57 says...

apparently all the politicians have broken their mirrors in order to not have to look at their own sorry buffoon face....

Posted 28 June 2014, 5:52 p.m. Suggest removal

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