MORE THAN 400 people were remembered at the Barbadian Families and Friends Relocation Association (BFFRA) remembrance and thanksgiving service on Sunday.
The biennial event took place in the Christ Church Parish Church and was attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Darcy Boyce; British High Commissioner Paul Brummell and Member of Parliament Mara Thompson, as well as other dignitaries.
The service featured both the placing of roses in remembrance of all those who had died overseas and the laying of wreaths to represent all the continents except Antarctica.
BFFRA president S. Jo-Ann Boyce said the association was founded last July by Owen Eversley after he had encountered problems when he sought to travel overseas to attend the funeral of a relative.
The association would help in solving problems faced by individuals who had relocated to Barbados, she said.
“When we launched, a number of people aired their difficulties, so we want to be the conduit for change and to help them integrate as they can bring in foreign exchange and provide us with their wealth of experience to help us improve some of the negative aspects of our culture, such as bad work ethics,” she said.
Boyce said returning nationals faced problems such as understanding how various processes worked in Barbados, getting things expedited without red tape, and not feeling welcomed.
“Barbados is known as a welcoming society, but our [returning nationals] don’t feel welcomed. Also, they come from a culture which operates differently, [so it’s hard for them],” she said.
The president said the association currently had a 14-member executive committee and almost 100 registered members and would be looking to increase membership and organize seminars and social events. (CA)
