In the Community

"The efforts of the FSN are truly far reaching and essential to repairing long term damage to affected family members," said Deborah Benjamin, country manager for Sol. "We committed to supporting the FSN Single Mothers' Fund at Christmas. Our first installment was due this month so we decided to combine it with a small gift to remind these struggling ladies that they are indeed valued and appreciated as mothers and individuals."
 
The FSN team and volunteers provide counseling and support to families, partners and single parents to resolve crises involving abusive relationships or financial and domestic stability.  The three-roomed premises of the FSN also serve as a haven for the young children: A trained counselor works with the children in one-to-one sessions and engages them in interactive games and activities to encourage them to express their anxieties. The counselor is then able to identify and address each child's needs appropriately. Single mothers come to the FSN for help, respite, preparation for job interviews or relief from daily pressures.
 
"Right now we have a lot of single mothers in dire situations," said Ms Jeffers. "We see how their self-confidence and self-worth have been eroded by their circumstances.  The women have such little expectation for themselves that it is a bitter-sweet experience to witness the impact of a personal gift. The FSN is grateful to Sol for the opportunity to share with them the love and appreciation symbolised in Mother's Day."
 
The FSN has many other mothers that it works with and welcomes any donated gift items to be distributed for Mother's Day. Please contact Chonda Jeffers or Karina George at the FSN on 494 7622 for further information.
 
ENDS

About Sol
Sol is the largest petroleum company in the BVI with service stations in Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Sol supplies the marine community at Hodges Creek, Nanny Cay Marina, the Moorings, Village Cay, Bitter End, Biras Creek, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and Leverick Bay. Sol is a committed supporter of community initiatives including VISAR, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, the Green VI Glass Studio, the BVI Athletics Association and the Royal BVI Yacht Club junior sailing programme.

The Sol Group was formed through the acquisition of Shell's petroleum distribution and marketing businesses in the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname and Belize in February 2005. Sol acquired The Shell Company (Puerto Rico) Limited in August 2006, which was subsequently renamed Sol Puerto Rico Limited. Sol made a further purchase of Esso's assets in Suriname and Guyana in November 2007 and in Haiti on February 29, 2008.

Sol supplies fuels, lubricants, bitumen and LPG through an extensive service station network, marine and commercial operations, as well as acting as an agent for Shell Aviation and Shell Marine products. Sol uses the Shell brand under license across its service station network, and acts as the sole distributor of Shell's fuels and lubricants. This is fully backed by Shell's world-class technical expertise.

Photo Caption:
Deborah Benjamin, Sol country manager (R), presents Chonda Jeffers of the Family Support Network with gifts and financial contribution to the Single Mothers' Fund