GOD BLESS ANGUILLA

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir

GOD BLESS ANGUILLA

I would appreciate it if you would publish both the poem and the comments in the next edition of The Anguillian.

We cannot change the past, but we can work together for a better future. The world is a dynamic environment. Anguilla, over the past 15 years has changed, not necessarily always for the better, but our infrastructure failed to maintain the same pace. We have been caught unprepared.

It is not fair to blame seven elected officials. It is a community problem and a community working in harmony can find the solution. We need to recognize our challenges and make provision for needed areas:

a.. early recognition of behavioural problems in the school or community
b.. counseling and remedial treatment centre for children/youths identified
c.. foster homes
d.. after school activities for children/youth
e.. consequences for actions
f.. juvenile detention centre
g.. psychiatric hospital
h.. separate ALHCS and Campus B students by academic criteria, rather than age. One campus to be vocational, the other academical
i.. eliminate the "slave owner's mentality" which inhibits adults from speaking up about injustice on the job for fear of losing their job. These conversations are held around the kitchen table and the children and youth do overhear.

Anguilla has a history of "covering up" adult transgressions. If an employee stole from a bank, he/she would be dismissed but no charges would be pressed to avoid embarrassment to employer, employee and employee's family. But the rumour mill would be active and many would be aware of the incident, including the children. This lack of consequence sends the wrong message to our children.

We, as adults, are inconsistent in the enforcement of policies in the work place. In many cases, favouritism is displayed. Again, this sends the wrong message to children.

We have employers who do not adhere to the laws of the land; who actually are stealing from government, social security and their staff. Again, with no consequence.

Children learn by imitation. They see through adult hypocrisy better than adults do. We are failing them.

God bless Anguilla, nurture and keep her. Noble and beauteous, she stands midst the sea. Oh land of the happy. A haven we値l make thee. Our lives and love we give unto thee. With heart and soul we値l build our nation proud, strong and free. We値l love her, hold her dear to our hearts for eternity. Let truth and right our banner be. We値l march ever on. Mighty we値l make her; long may she prosper. God grant her leaders wisdom and grace. May glory and honour ever attend her. Firm shall she stand throughout every age.

Caroline Davis