Building strong communities

Sherryl Griffith is involved in a number of activities in her community. (Picture by Anesta Henry.)

By Anesta Henry | Wed, October 03, 2012 - 10:42 AM

A community is based upon the people within it.

A country’s strength depends on the people who come from that community.

If a community is failing, that would be seen in the country’s overall outlook.

So a community must be strong. If everyone contributes and helps one another, the community will be a nicer place to live, and it will do the person good by increasing their sense of belonging.

These are the beliefs of this week’s Wednesday Woman Sherryl Griffith.

“Giving back to the community from which you have gained is very important, and a lot of people need to become aware of this fact. You can’t just take. You have to take, use and pass on.

“It does not make any sense going to work and coming home, watching television and doing nothing. Make time for giving back to your community. Go out and work with some children or the elderly. That is one of the most satisfying things an individual can do,” she told the MIDWEEK NATION during an interview at her Benn Hill, St Peter home.

Griffith is not just talking the talk. She walks the walk. From childhood, she has been involved in community oriented work, which has moulded her into the “woman I am today”.

She is a former leader of the Girl Guide Association of Barbados for 11 years, and Barbados Boys Scouts leader for the Roland Edwards Primary school Cub Scout pack for over 11 years.

She is currently a counsellor at the Centre for Counselling Addiction Support Alternatives (CASA). And Griffith is also a part of the St Peter Parish Independence Committee. These are just some of her community involvements.

“From the time I was a young Brownie I realized that teachers used to take time out after school to pass on skills and values to us through the different after-school programmes and extra-curricular activities.

“In the Mile & Quarter area where I grew up, there was always some kind of community activity going on. There was Girl Guides on Saturdays and then on Sundays there was something else going on.”

According to 55-year-old Griffith, who has been a teacher of 36 years, the only motive an individual needs to get them into the spirit to give back to their community is a patriotic community spirit.

At least that’s what keeps her going.

“I see it important to give back to my community because of how much I would have gained from the community when I was growing up, so I know the benefits,” said the mother of three.

“I know about when the community raised a child. I know about when as a child and your parents were at work, there was somebody in the community that you could go to their home and they would feed you and you would have a shower and do your homework until your parents came home.”

And while the inquisitive mind would wonder how she finds the time to participate in all of her activities and also write community-oriented books with the focus on the parish of St Peter, Griffith says she has it covered.

“I was doing it from before my children were born. I was doing it when my children were born and I still found time for them. It is all about time management and the will.”