Holding a warm, multi-hued blanket to her face, 86-year-old Maud smiled and reached out a hand to the young woman who had just given it to her. The two women – one in her 20s coiffed and college-educated, the other in her best housedress with teeth you could count on one hand – stood at the centre of the room in Unity House, a home for the elderly.
Decades of differences melted. In the young woman’s eyes was awe that the small gift had moved its recipient so much, in the older woman’s eyes, a silent thank you.
The exchange took place in a rambling building on East Street South where the home had been the Lyford Cay Scholars’ annual project.

This was their final visit to Unity House, one that will not be forgotten by the college grads or the grateful care-givers and recipients at Unity House. It was a visit that will be remembered by people like Maud every time she hugs the blanket to her chest. “The (Lyford Cay) Foundation has afforded me so many opportunities that I feel honored to give something back,” said Nakira Gaskins-Wilchcombe, a two-time

scholarship recipient now earning her Master’s degree at Florida Institute of Technology. “I think it’s so important to say thank you because it’s basically through the kindness of strangers that we – and hundreds of other young Bahamians - have had the chance to fulfill our educational dreams.” According to Monique Hinsey, coordinator of the Lyford Cay Scholars Association, the group has assisted Unity House over the year with many repairs. They’ve painted the interior, cleaned the grounds, repaired plumbing. They’ve also supplied bags of groceries. “It will be interesting to see what organization the Association chooses to adopt next year for there are so many that need volunteers and friends,” she said.

Lyford Cay alumni Mark Jordan and John Benjamin deliver loads of warm blankets, sheets, and towels to Unity House residents. Pictured from left is Mark Jordan, John Benjamin, and Unity House resident, John Darville.