Discovery Land Company, the developers of the Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club recently launched the Fig Tree Foundation Ltd., a non-profit organization, fully registered and authorized as an operating entity by the Government of The Bahamas.

Baker's Bay CEO, Mike Meldman said the mission of the Fig Tree Foundation Ltd. is to protect the Great Guana Cay community and enhance the quality of life for all people living on Great Guana Cay. The Foundation will accomplish this mission by raising funds which will be dedicated to all facets of the Great Guana Cay society and directed toward the community's educational, environmental, medical and general social needs.

Already the Foundation's first beneficiary has been identified as a male Great Guana Cay resident in serious need of funds for medical expenses incurred. Mr. Meldman noted that funds from the Foundation will be allotted to assist paying this gentleman's medical expenses.

With the guidance of key members of the community who will help direct resources, the Fig Tree Foundation Ltd. aspires to strengthen individuals, institutions, the environment, and services on Great Guana Cay.

The Foundation will initially be funded by the owners of Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club (BBC). Over the ensuing 2 - 5 years funding for the Foundation will also be generated from a variety of sources including: (i) proceeds from the sale of lots within Baker's Bay to Great Guana Cay Bahamian families in which case all of such proceeds will be donated directly to the Foundation), and (ii) corporate and individual contributions.

Steve Adelson, partner, Baker's Bay said, "Baker's Bay will initially give $500,000 and then we will sell about twenty lots to Bahamians living on Great Guana Cay at $50,000 and proceeds from that sale will go to the Foundation. We are also looking at other avenues to fund the Foundation."

Lots being offered to Great Guana Cay residents are worth between $1-6 million and are approximately 8,000 square feet in size. They are to be used strictly for residential homes and not investment properties.

In reference to Discovery's motive behind launching the Fig Tree Foundation, Mr. Meldman said, "We do this sort of thing everywhere our properties are located. This is not being done here at Great Guana Cay just because we want to quiet the previous situation.

"We want to make a real impact on the lives of Guana Cay residents and work hand in hand with them. We want to incorporate as much of Baker's Bay into Great Guana Cay and as much Guana Cay into Baker's Bay."

The management and administration of the business and affairs of the Foundation will be vested in a Board of Directors. Great Guana Cay residents will actively participate in the Foundation by occupying three seats of the six members Foundation Advisory Board, which will advise the Directors on matters related to the actions of the Foundation.

The Foundation's Advisory Board members are: Carter Redd, Bruce McDaniel ad Blane Sweeting, all of Discovery Land Company and Great Guana Cay residents Donna Sands, Arlena Bethell and Anne Otten,.

Guana Cay resident and Advisory Board member, Arlena Bethell described the people of that island as quiet and peaceful.

"The Guana Cay residents are basically quiet and peaceful people," she said. "The people who have raised their voices against Baker's Bay, the S.G.C.R. (Save Guana Cay Reef Association), are not really from generations of Guana Cay people. They are from other places. They cannot really speak for Guana Cay residents."

She continued by saying the residents of Guana Cay are very pleased with the work that the Baker's Bay property proposes to do and was elated when she found out from Baker's Bay officials that Guana Cay residents will be welcomed to use facilities at the resort.

The Foundation will philanthropically support community based and community driven initiatives including but not limited to youth programs, educational, health, medical, environmental and other such pursuits that will be beneficial to the Great Guana Cay settlement and community.