Gilkes told the Barbados Advocate that the vision is one of expansion. He noted that the operation of the farm sent a very strong message of recovery to students at the substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

Teen challenge wants to be very self-supporting. But how we deliver recovery treatment is ... to deliver it within the understanding of our student that he himself has the potential inside. If we become self-sufficient, we become a model to him of that, because the real sign of recovery is that once a guy used to steal and beg and borrow, he does that no more. That is a real sign of recovery, and he is able to take responsibility for his actions, for his household, for his family, for himself first, Gilkes noted.

He also said that the near-term vision at Teen Challenge is to set up at least two additional chicken pens. Gilkes added that the farm had already acquired a cold storage truck, which was used in the delivery of chickens to hotels and supermarkets.

We have calculated that with a donation given to our farm, we would be able to bring the farm to become a self- sustaining engine for this programme.

Gilkes said that with a successful farm project he could anticipate that Teen Challenge will move from a position whereby it relied on the community for donations, to one in which they can actually give something back.

He also noted that the goal for Teen Challenge was to be a viable state-of-the-art well run, excellent operation delivering the services needed for each individual student coming in.

He explained that the non-profit, faith-based NGO did not presently receive a subvention from Government, but was paid $105 a day for 84 days, to be able to give services to Barbadian nationals.

He explained that since the Psychiatric Hospital no longer had a drug-rehabilitation unit, Government had outsourced the services, a good move since it had been difficult for persons attending the Psychiatric to avoid leaving without the stigma associated that that institution.

Gilkes said while government paid their contribution for 84 days, Teen Challenge had to fund one-year programmes for students. We are asking for a partner, to partner with us and see the potential of the farm, Gilkes said.