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Bernice Mansell Foundation pays homage to seven mothers
By Mondale Smith
“A true reflection of a Godly mother and a virtuous woman,” was one of the many descriptions given for mothers, as the Bernice Mansell Foundation staged its annual luncheon yesterday in the Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel.
Honourees of the Bernice Mansell Foundation (from left): Shelly Loraine Adams, Eileen Nadine Barkie, Savitri Chandrabose, Sheran Harper, Cheryl Elizabeth Peters, Yvonne Stephenson A.A and Pauline Louise Thompson.
The foundation promotes literacy through its programme for early school leavers but yesterday while raising funds, the focus was on seven special mothers’ drawn from various circumstances.
More than 50 mothers, grandmothers and, great-grandmothers were treated to lunch in the company of their offspring.
Seven who were singled out for special homage were handed hampers, trophies and bouquets amidst praises being heaped upon them.
Among the honourees, was Shelly Loraine Adams who despite having three “little blessings” of her own, qualified herself and opened her own playschool and daycare centre as an entrepreneur.
Eileen Nadine Barkie, described as selfless, caring and innovative by her granddaughter Joelle was also an honouree.
Aside from being there as a mother, friend and confidante, she sews clothes for her four children and grandchildren. Though the grandchildren say they would not be “caught dead” in these modern times in her creations, they say her heart is golden and her efforts are sincere. She is a two-time winner of the Mother and Daughter pageant in the senior category.
Kaieteur News’ special person Savitri Chandrabose, a nurse by profession and mother of three was singled out after her story of sacrifice and struggle was published.
Despite being busy as an international baby friendly medical professional, her children say, “in the midst of it all our mother always found time to take care of family, instilling her values and training her boys for the world.”
Another Kaieteur News Special Person, Sheran Harper’s husband is the international cricketer Roger Harper, but while she’s a dedicated wife, she also mothered Richard and Reginald.
However, she’s also actively standing in the gap as mother of mothers, grandmother and great-grandmother in her role as diocesan President of the Mother’s Union in Guyana.
Mother of four Cheryl Elizabeth Peters, was another honouree labelled as a loving, compassionate, warm hearted, selfless and supportive individual who is community driven.
She has a soft spot for the less fortunate and under privileged so much so that she became President of the Inner Wheel Club-Georgetown Central offering assistance to orphanages and homes of the elderly.
Yvonne Stephenson A.A is described as an ultimate professional who has many firsts to her name in Guyana and the Caribbean and is still doing her part for humane service to Guyana.
Her daughters Marcel, Bernice and Lindani say despite her schedule, she ensures that close family ties are maintained and has also ensured that her children graduated from University.
Closing off the list of honourees is retired Army Sergeant Pauline Louise Thompson, a practicing nurse.
Her son Akeem points to her smile, warmth and cheerfulness that gives all she comes into contact with a reason for living. She’s a woman for family and despite her busy schedule she still finds time to cook and invite family over.
The mothers and other attendees were serenaded by veteran singer Charmain Blackman and the Circle of love quartet.
One mother took home a basket stocked with more than $100,000 in goodies.
Bernice Mansell, the foundation’s president, who prides herself in being the ‘begging voice’ for the less fortunate and underprivileged, quoting Jill Leming said, “a mother’s love is forever strong, never changing for all time… and when her children need her most a mother’s love will shine.”
Crediting ‘God’ for making mothers as givers of life, cornerstones of homes, foundations of family and backbones of society, Mansell said it is important that these brave women be saluted for having successfully undertaken the most important role that contributes to positivism in society.
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