Columns

For many years, Rotarians have been active in their efforts to reduce illiteracy, from building schools and paying salaries of teachers to serving as tutors to collecting and distributing books and audiovisual materials to libraries. Rotarians are working with governments to create large-scale replicable literacy projects in the developing world.

Rotarians around the world make a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. The Rotarian, Rotary’s long-standing international magazine, provides some excellent quotations from prominent Rotarians through the years:
…on Rotary’s support for humanitarian initiatives

Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a session of the AXA ITF TaeKwon-Do. This program specializes in teaching Tae Kwon Do to all who are willing and desire to learn. It is headed by Gregory Permuy, a very impressive young man who is a consummate professional and is highly regarded as a competent instructor and role model for children. Over the years, he has built a reputation for himself as well as program that boasts over 50 members.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She has been recognized and acclaimed throughout the world for her selflessness and her humanity. In 1981, Mother Teresa spoke as follows at the Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting and speaking with Jane Grell, Reference Librarian at the Anguilla Public Library. As I have always heard great things about the Library’s summer program, it was necessary that I sit down with her and discuss in great detail their plans for this summer’s program. It was obvious through our dialogue that there was much thought and reflection put into the central theme this year. The theme, “Shout it Everywhere, Freedom is Here,” is centred around the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade in Great Britain.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Over the years, I have been expressing my opinion considering the political, social, economic and spiritual situation as it exist in Anguilla for Anguillians, and I will continue to say “ A Spade Is A Spade” irrespective to whomsoever it hurts.

Rotary International has been a strong and powerful force in the Caribbean since the late 1950s. The first club chartered in the district was The Rotary Club of St Thomas in 1957, followed by The Rotary Club of St Croix in 1958, and by The Rotary Club of Kingston, Jamaica, in 1959. Rotary International continued to charter non-district clubs; until 1973, there were some 41 clubs with charters.

After nearly ninety-five years and four attempts (legitimate) the Anguillians decided that they had had enough of external rule and it was time for them to act. As a consequence the Anguilla Revolution was born on the 30th of May, 1967 when the Police Constabulary was sent to St. Kitts some by plane and the remainder by boat.

This summer, among many other activities, children will also be able to experience first class golf. The Temenos Club course operated by the Troon Golf staff will be bringing, for the second year in a row, an extremely high quality golf camp for Anguillian children during the entire month of July. This year’s program will be directed by Bernie Morgan, assistant golf professional. He will be supported by an impressive staff at the Temenos Golf Club with Dana Schmid (Club Manager/Director of Golf), Hale Kelley (Head Golf Professional), and Josh Shepard (Associate Golf Professional). Moreover, there will be various volunteers from the Anguilla Golf Association (AGA) on hand to assist in the instruction of the junior golfers.

The following keynote address was delivered by Mr. Marcel Fahie at an Anguilla Day programe last week.

The people of Anguilla were highly motivated, inspired and fiercely determined in 1967, when they took firm action and broke the constitutional and political relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis. They grasped political power and let it be known to the whole world that from henceforth they would take direct responsibility for Anguilla’s political, constitutional, economic and social destiny. Their radical and courageous actions, on and before 30th May 1967, brought an end to the presence in Anguilla of the police officers, representing the authority of the Central Government of the Associated State of St.Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. Thus they gave birth to the Anguilla Revolution on May 30th 1967, the 40th anniversary of which we are celebrating in 2007.

Rotary District 7020, which comprises Anguilla, includes a total of 64 Rotary Clubs in 10 different countries or territories.

As I am committed to presenting options for youth this summer, I had the pleasure of speaking with Pastor Phillip Gumbs about the vacation bible school at the Church of God “Holiness.” This of course will not be the only VBS provided for the youth this summer and I will try to highlight other programs as well. Yet, I am confident that this program will stand out. Their program will begin on August 20th and run to the 26th and will be held at the large church building located on Queen Elizabeth Ave. near the Stoney Ground Primary School. This year’s program has a central theme entitled “Friendship with God.” This theme will be highlighted throughout the many activities during the week and one aspect that will be stressed is “prayer.” It is through prayer that one can seek a better and more fulfilled relation/friendship with God.

Since 1927, students and host families all over the world have had their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary’s Youth Exchange program. Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multidistrict groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.

Within the first month of my residency here in Anguilla in June 2005, to understand the island and its history better, I started to read the book Under an English Heaven by Donald E. Westlake. It was loaned to me by the then Deputy Governor of Anguilla The Honourable Mr. Mark Capes, who has recently moved on to be the Deputy Governor of Bermuda. There is such a rich and immense history throughout the Caribbean and, of course, the history of Anguilla is unique in many ways. One of the most salient facts I remember from the book is the notion that Anguilla’s revolution occurred without firing one shot. It was not violent in terms of war, but it was in terms of ideals. I am not going to proceed on giving a history lesson to my readers as we have Mr. Colville Petty who frequently reminds us of this. Yet, I would like to expound on this notion of revolution and how it pertains to the actual times in Anguilla and more specifically to youth.

Alright, I know that the majority of my readers know that I am involved with the Anguilla Tennis Academy. With that in mind, it has been one of my goals to attempt to stay away from writing articles that deal directly with the ATA in order to ensure a certain amount of objectivity. I have, in the past, mentioned things about the ATA because I believe in the work it is doing for the community on an impartial level. On a partial level, I am directly involved with all the decisions made as I am the director and I must say that this year’s summer camp is going to be amazing! So, I have chosen to dedicate a full article to it this week.

Alright, I know that the majority of my readers know that I am involved with the Anguilla Tennis Academy. With that in mind, it has been one of my goals to attempt to stay away from writing articles that deal directly with the ATA in order to ensure a certain amount of objectivity. I have, in the past, mentioned things about the ATA because I believe in the work it is doing for the community on an impartial level. On a partial level, I am directly involved with all the decisions made as I am the director and I must say that this year’s summer camp is going to be amazing! So, I have chosen to dedicate a full article to it this week.

‘Life begins at forty!’ they say. Since turning forty I have tried several new things… like scuba diving.

As the month of April is dwindling down, it is important to realize that summertime in nearly upon us. Around this time last year I did a series of articles about summer options for the youth. In these articles it was also mentioned that summertime is of great value as it is a time in which youth can really grow and learn more self realization.

After completing one year of dedicated service to Anguillian children, Ian Brunswick has left Anguilla to pursue other endeavours. Although his shoes will be difficult to fill, I am sure the new director, Ryan Kuja, will do his very best. Although the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club is relatively new, it has had much success. Ryan plans to maintain this high standard as he is very devoted.