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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On April 29, 2022, the PACE (Providing Opportunities for Continuing Education) School building was officially named the Andrea E. Archer Academy in honor of its founder, Andrea Archer, a courageous woman who dedicated her life to building programs centered on improving the welfare of students and families in the Bahamas. In addition, a mortgage burning ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the new unsecured academy, which was made possible by the tireless fundraising efforts of the PACE Foundation and the generous support of the Sandals Foundation and the Development Bank of the Bahamas. Those in attendance to pay tribute to Mrs Archer included the Prime Minister’s wife, Dame Ann Marie Davis, the Minister of Education and Technical Vocational Training, the Honourable Grace Hannah-Martin, the Chair of the PACE Foundation, Sonya Brown, and PACE family, friends and supporters. “What distinguishes Andrea is her compassion and integrity, and her ability to see the light in people’s struggling and chaotic lives,” Brown said. “Today we launch the Andrea Archer Institute because we are taking a ‘whole-of-body’ approach to the challenges facing all of our country’s young people.”
Brown outlined some of the work done under the PACE program founded by Mrs. Archer. “Young mothers receive an education and participate in a subsidy program that requires them to have 90% attendance in school, be on time for classes, and participate fully in activities in order to receive a small monthly stipend. The teenagers also receive job preparation and placement, and receive help with transportation, child care and food. The goal is to ensure that they continue their education and succeed. After having their children, they will return to a new school and start a new life. “When you help a teenage mother, you help the whole country,” Mrs Archer said at the ceremony. Her career began in 1969 when, as a community nurse and medical social adviser, she launched a program for teenage mothers that became known as the Student Mothers Clinic, providing counselling and school placement services. In 1984, the Student Mothers Continuing Education Program was created, which in 1993 evolved into PACE (Providing Continuing Opportunities in Education), a name created by Mrs Archer’s then 11-year-old daughter, Tara.
Ms. Archer is charming, down-to-earth and resilient. She holds multiple degrees and was previously Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health. “This journey has not been an easy one. Many have joined us on this journey to provide a second chance to pregnant students. It has required courage, perseverance and persistence despite negative criticism and vilification.” Ms. Archer thanked the PACE Foundation for its dedication and hard work, as well as the many partners including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Ministry of Health and Wellness, family members and donors who have been supportive over the past 53 years. Half a century later, PACE has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young women and others who have helped build our country. This was shared by the Honourable Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin, who called Ms. Archer a “hero.” “You taught us that their lives matter and that their futures await them.” Hanna-Martin told the audience that she recently met a young woman who is graduating from the University of the Bahamas, a PACE alumna, and whose son is now 9 years old.
Ms. Ann Marie Davis was excited to be a part of the day. “I have done a lot of social work over the past decade and have heard a lot about PACE and the young women in the program. A few years ago, we had a tea party to honor them and I saw these young women so happy knowing they had another chance to continue to live the life they wanted. That’s what PACE is all about… PACE allows them to achieve their dreams.” Through the doors of PACE have come many nation builders, doctors, lawyers, educators, engineers, accountants and many entrepreneurs, and Andrea Archer herself is a nation builder ahead of her time. “At home, parents must make young girls aware of how precious and important they are – so that they don’t fall prey to illicit cults or have their gullibility and naivety taken advantage of,” shares Ms. Archer. “Most parents have a hard time explaining family life and sex education to their children. They need to do this, otherwise these pre-teens might listen to their peers, what they see on social media and go down the wrong path.”
When asked about the judgemental view of society, she responded: “The fact is that some of these girls are not promiscuous; they have been sexually assaulted but they choose not to have an abortion; some young girls have been sexually assaulted or had no idea they were pregnant. They have had cousins or uncles sexually assault them, and there have been cases of incest.” Ms. Archer asks us not to judge but to be kind and help them so that mothers and children can heal and potentially have a brighter future. Programs at the Andrea E. Archer Institute (AEAI) include a train-the-trainer program for counselors who work with young men. The Mom Plus program supports mothers in their 20s, whether or not they have previously participated in PACE. Contrary to popular belief, this age group is where the most unplanned pregnancies occur, and the AEAI has created a tool to provide much-needed support. Sonya Brown added, “Our crown jewels are Character Day and the Unsung Heroes program, which have driven a national conversation about good character, particularly self-esteem and ultimately decision-making skills, which we find are often lacking in teens. This is also part of our strategy to prevent pregnancy.” Moderator Dr. Ruthmae Sears, a member of the PACE Foundation Board of Directors, said of Ms. Archer: “She is an exceptional woman who is committed to driving change to provide equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for teenage mothers in the Bahamas.” For more information about the Andrea E. Archer Institute’s PACE program, visit: www.pacebahamas.com
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