Zion Home Site plan

Zion Home Current View

Background

The vision for the Zion Children's Home came from the hearts of the women in the small community of Current Island in The Bahamas. For some time, government social workers in the area have brought needy children to Mrs. Earmily Munroe for a safe and caring home. Mrs. Munroe and other women of the community envisioned building a children's home on Current Island. They shared this vision with their church, community, and leaders of The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church (BCMC) and the plans for the Zion Children's Home began to take shape. The BCMC, in cooperation with Bahamas Methodist Habitat is working with volunteers, donors and the Bahamas Government to establish the children’s home on Current Island. The Bahamas Conference is proceeding with advice and assistance from the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, a home for children with more than 100 years experience.

The site has been donated by the residents of Current Island and cleared by the Bahamas Government. Architectural plans have been drawn and donated by Robert Miller Architects of Orlando, Florida. A number of groups in The Bahamas and the United States have offered financial and in-kind contributions and volunteer labor to complete the project. Upon completion, the Home will be operated on behalf of the Bahamas Department of Social Services.

It is anticipated that the FIRST TWO cottages to house eight children each will be completed and ready for occupancy on December 01, 2011.

Mission Statement

The Zion Methodist Children’s Home (ZMCH) seeks to provide a safe sanctuary for the growth of children who have been neglected or abused in the Bahamas-especially in the island of Eleuthera. Through holistic development initiatives, the home and its affiliates seek to provide an atmosphere and programming whereby the abused and neglected children of the Bahamas can safely be nurtured as they are encouraged in their spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, and physical growth.

Objectives

• To have house parents and child minders who will act as secondary or supplementary care providers for the occupants of the cottages;
• To provide a family experience for play, fellowship and inclusion that will be provided at all times;
• To provide intellectual development through integrated group activities and academic sessions;
• To inspire the development of character and self-esteem through group learning activities and youth leadership initiatives;
• To teach self-discipline through implementation and adherence to daily routines;
• To expose children and teach them an appreciation for the culture and social institutions of the Bahamas;
• To develop healthy eating habits by providing balanced meals in accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry of Social Services;
• To develop proper grooming and self-care habits; and
• To provide opportunities for spiritual awareness and growth

PURPOSE

The Zion Methodist Children’s Home Current Island is to provide 24 hour, safe and caring home environment for 16 Children between the ages of 2-12 years who were physically and mentally abused, abandoned, neglected, or molested.

LOCATION

The Zion Methodist Children’s Home is located in the settlement on Current Island, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

ADMISSION

– To qualify for this Home residents must be:
1. 2 - 12 yrs
2. Any nationality
3. Those are assigned by the Department of Social Services.

MEDICAL

Medical treatment and follow up visits will be made by the nurses from the government clinic at Lower Bogue and Bluff, North Eleuthera. Additionally, services of the local doctor will be sort as needed.

DAILY ACTIVITY ROSTER

All residents will participate in daily devotion, school, play, and interaction with each other. Children will be assigned daily chores, in accordance to their age and ability.

EDUCATION

School-age residents will attend the Current Island Primary School and the North Eleuthera High School. Supervised homework and study time will be added to the daily roster of residents.

ADMINISTRATION

The Home will be under the administration and management of The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church. It will be governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives of the BCMC, Department of Social Services and the community.

The day to day operation of the Home will be managed by a full-time administrator and an assistant administrator. Each cottage will have a live-in house matron, who will be assisted by care givers working on a daily shift and supplemented by auxiliary staff.