As it currently stands, Tiffany's Haven, a 10 room building slated for use as a shelter for battered women, is in dire need of restoration.
Some day soon Shavon Munnings, the shelter's visionary, hopes to see it provide the much-needed umbrella covering for women and their children who need a temporary place to sort out their lives after fleeing violence in their homes.
Editor's Note: Violence against women is encouraged by The Bahamas government's failure to give women the same rights as men. The flawed constitution of The Bahamas denies women the same rights as men, despite the fact that PM Perry Christie's main campaign promise was to rectify that injustice. οΎ He lied.
But for now the aging building bakes in the hot weather, with peeling paint, broken windows and rotting doors.
Munnings estimates that aside from a painting, new windows and doors, the structure also needs re-wiring, plumbing, flooring and furniture.
A few sighs and buckets of sweat-drenching work away from where it needs to be to bridge the gap between homelessness and hope in the lives of domestic violence victims, Munnings believes that the shelter can happen with the overwhelming support of its home community.
"I believe, with a team, this can happen," says Munnings of the daunting repairs. "We just need to get started."
In order to get the wheels spinning as swiftly as possible on the project, Munnings is inviting members of the Grand Bahama community to stop by the building on Jobson Avenue during a three-day Open House.
Her hope is that community members can survey the repairs and volunteer the necessary materials or labour to erect Tiffany's Haven. The Open House will be held between the hours of nine to five from Wednesday to Friday of this week.
The completion and operation of Tiffany's Haven is the ultimate goal to a movement that Munnings has generated since the tragic death of her younger sister, Tiffany Smith.
Smith became a fatal victim of domestic violence over a year ago on May 24. Munnings has since crusaded for the cause of domestic violence victims, as the close relative of a victim and a survivor of the societal vice.
Two days after the one-year anniversary of Smith's death this May, Munnings held a Candlelight Vigil at Agape House. Guest speakers, Police Inspector, Loretta Mackey and Crisis Centre Head, Dr. Jean Turnquest-Brown, addressed those in attendance on the dangers of domestic violence. The topics, says Munnings, included "Getting Out," "Recognising (Domestic Violence) before it Becomes a Problem," "Loving You More," and "Don't Wait for the Ambulance."
Dr. Turnquest-Brown asserted at the vigil that domestic violence was a growing problem in the community and the country.
Munnings says that the vigil was an educational experience that connected theory of domestic violence and the mindset of its victims with actual experience.
Munnings emphasizes that whereas the haven will be a place for women who have nowhere to go while they look for a new place to live after leaving violent homes, for security purposes, the haven cannot be used as a place of protection against active threats.
The temporary dwelling, in which Munnings wants to offer regular counselling, will however accommodate mothers and their children for a designated period until they get their lives together.
When it is up and running, Tiffany's Haven will be one of two known battered women's shelters in the country. While a shelter exists in the capital, the GB Crisis Centre aids victims of domestic violence on the island in finding alternative living arrangements.
Munnings feels like an establishment such as Tiffany's Haven can truly save a life.
"Just two weeks ago we lost another young lady to domestic violence," she says. "People don't change unless Christ comes into (their) lives.
"That's why you get out while you can. Don't look back," she warns the abused.
Community support is what is expected to drive the shelter, covering its expenses and ensuring its success in providing a place for battered woman to re-route their lives.
"It may not be happening to you," says Munnings of domestic violence, "but it's happening to someone who may not have that love or that family to run to.
"You have to learn to love outside of yourself, outside of your family, outside of your community. The community needs to just come together to make a difference."
By THEA RUTHERFORD, Freeport News Features Editor
