Nassau’s longstanding Ranfurly Home orphanage faces potential closure due to a catastrophic financial shortfall, with administrators revealing that dwindling donations and insufficient governmental support have pushed the institution toward collapse. The facility, which provides care for 25 children aged 12 to 17, requires several hundred thousand dollars to achieve stability, according to President Joey Premock.
Premock emphasized that government funding constitutes merely 25 percent of their operational budget, describing it as insufficient given their monthly expenses of approximately $55,000. While the home receives occasional gifts and clothing donations, these do not address critical cash needs for food, utilities, medical care, counseling, and staff salaries. Currently operating with fewer than five consistent donors, Premock warned that without immediate financial intervention, the institution cannot sustain operations.
The crisis extends beyond orphanages to broader social services. Khandi Gibson, President of Families of All Murdered Victims (FOAM), reported her private six-bedroom shelter now houses 22 individuals—including women, children, and men—many fleeing eviction or dangerous living conditions. Gibson noted rising demand for basic survival assistance, from diapers for young fathers to support for employed Bahamians unable to cope with soaring living costs.
Both leaders highlighted the growing gap between need and resources, particularly during the holiday season. Gibson’s shelter requires $2,500 monthly for operational costs alone, excluding substantial food and financial assistance provided to those outside the facility. She reported frequent instances of individuals contemplating suicide due to extreme financial pressure, noting that many Bahamians now rely on NGOs for survival.
Administrators urge collective public action, emphasizing that while government resources are limited, community support could prevent institutional collapse. Premock specifically called for Bahamians to contribute time or donations to protect the nation’s most vulnerable children, countering public assumptions about the home’s financial stability.