A group that believes in promoting only the positive went to the new senior school building site recently with placards to support beleaguered workers.

The Zenzele Bermuda group, which is known for its positive affirmations, said people must get back to basics and support one another in life's quests.

They said the bad publicity surrounding the delayed $70 million new secondary school, which is to replace Berkeley Institute, was bound to be having a negative affect on the workforce.

The group said its aim was to uplift and offer positive solutions, and make the workers feel good about what they were doing.

Zenzele member Peggy Burns said: "We were here before they came into work. We wanted to greet them and make them feel great for the day.

"The men said that they felt better and that they really appreciated us being here. Our aim was to elevate the moral of the workers.

"We use positive affirmations, by saying where we would like to be, rather than where we currently are."

The other members present were John Stovell and Nahlijah Williams, along with her husband Diop, who said he joined them to support his wife.

Mr. Stovell said: "Bermudians used to support each other when building homes. Things have changed and we need to get back to the way things were.

"Today, properties are costing half a million and up - what can people do?

"There is little hope for young Bermudians who hope to own their own homes, so we need to help each other."

Mrs. Williams said people were their brother's keeper.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott, whose Ministry is overseeing the Pembroke project, sent a note of thanks and appreciation to the group, not so much from the Ministry, but from the men.

"When I heard that two people were at the gate of the site with placards, I thought what are they doing, but it was basically a pleasant turn.

"The spirit of what they were doing was obviously in a good spirit.

"The management group that came into do an analysis said Bermudian workers were doing a quality job.

"The two individuals who stood there reinforced this point and I express appreciation, not for the Ministry, but the workers who have had a very rough time.

"Criticising the Government, can be considered fair comment, but the workers have their careers and families and some of the criticisms may have done damage to firms working on the site.

He said: "It was very unique and I have never seen it done before in Bermuda.

"The group called for called for all who are Berkeley-ites to support the Berkeley family, which has been unreasonably dragged through the mud.