Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/7087/-1/135/
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"Citrus" Group Making Inroads In Community
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An active community group at East End, called “CITRUS”, is making inroads in community life and social development there. Though not a political grouping, as its leadership and members emphasise, it nevertheless has a function which may help in the choice of candidates in the upcoming elections in Districts 1 and 2 (Island Harbour and Sandy Hill).
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Members of the "Citrus" Group (with children) after clean-up campaign
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The interesting thing about “CITRUS” is that it is not an acronym for any organisation. “It just means quenching the thirst for information and activity”, a spokesperson explained. The group was recently founded by a number of visionary individuals in Pond Ground, East End.
Salih Abdur-Raheem, one of the leaders of “CITRUS, told The Anguillian: “The goal of the group is to assist young people to use their time and energy positively. The organisation has made its debut as the ‘talk of the town’ through its public meetings every Wednesday at 5.00 p.m. when many youngsters and adults gather to question candidates in their districts.” The meeting place is Calvin Vanterpool’s sheltered barbecue grill on the grounds of the old East End School.
The group has so far held question and answer sessions with a number of candidates in the two districts. “Crowds of over 70 people often gather, some with notepads, recorders and cameras to capture the moments,” Raheem, an Anguillian Muslim convert, said. “The candidates are asked about their intentions for their respective districts and the nation. Although “CITRUS” started with political guests, its overall focus is really on the social, spiritual, educational and political aspects of life to enhance the interest and learning of young people, using creative and interactive methods.”
The group also plans to form a cycling club, conduct training in conflict resolution, communication skills and public speaking as part of a diverse programme of training and exposure initiatives.
“CITRUS” held its first clean-up campaign last Sunday, June 7, in the Pond Ground Village area, down to the grounds of the old school building, and collected many bags of garbage filling a pickup truck.
One of the group’s members, Charles Richardson, commented: “Since its inception, and looking at the enthusiasm of the young people, I think it is a very good thing and for this reason I got involved. It is also the first time that a group of this nature has set out to organise community meetings every Wednesday evening to question and receive answers from candidates for the next general election about what they would do, if elected. I congratulate the young people for coming up with this idea. There is no political affiliation. It is just a group which would like to see things done and they have just had their first clean-up campaign which is a very good step.”
Marie Horsford, a retired top public servant, with an abiding interest in national life, said: “The amount of garbage collected within a short time, and in a small area, shows that there is a real need for this sort of community effort and that we should not just to depend on government workers to do it. I felt proud to be a partner in this effort.
“With respect to the other matter, meeting with prospective election candidates, I must congratulate the young people who initiated this. I find this to be very stimulating because it is a new era now. Things have changed and we need people who can really and truly represent the country. By asking questions, they are learning from us and we are learning from them and it is not only what they want to do, but what the community and, indeed, the island on a whole, would like for them to do.”
Linda Richardson, who also has much interest in community affairs, added her thoughts: “I congratulate the group for doing an outstanding job in the village and especially in the cleanup campaign. I believe our people can make a better effort in putting garbage in the bins. It will make it better and safer for the community.”
Raheem had the last word: “A number of persons keep on coming to join our group “CITRUS” (quench your thirst). We are not politically-orientated or anything, other than what I said before our goal is.”
The executive members of “CITRUS” are Marie Horsford, Mario Bryan, Kaaaya, Charles Richardson, Linda Richardson, Kennedy Duncan, Salih Abdur-Raheem, Calvin Vanterpool, Uriel Lake and Mary Lake.