The Arijah Children’s Foundation in Anguilla, which operates the Blossom Centre for challenged children, is the recipient of a donation of US$2,000 from Mr Michel Deher of NorthView Properties Ltd.
Mr Deher, who is no stranger to Anguilla, has a business operation in St Maarten, where he is the proprietor of Chesterfield Estate which includes the well-known Chesterfield Restaurant and Marina. The cheque, for the above sum, was presented to the Founder of the Arijah Children’s Foundation, Mrs Renuka Harrigan, by his agent in Anguilla, Mr Gifford Connor.
The presentation was made at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday, November 18. There, the Minister, Mr Jerome Roberts, said that Mr Deher was recently granted an Alien Land Holding Licence to construct a dwelling/guest house in Sandy Ground, Anguilla. Mr Roberts stated that as customary when developers indicate an interest to invest in Anguilla, he had suggested to Mr Deher to make a contribution to some non-profit cause on the island as a gesture of goodwill.
“I am indeed pleased that he remained steadfast to his commitment,” Mr Roberts commented. “He is the first of many yet to come who is making this commitment. He decided that his commitment should go towards the Blossom Centre and the Arijah Foundation. “I am indeed delighted that this has become a reality and I hope that the funds he so graciously donated will go a long way in helping the centre which is doing an excellent work,” the Minister added.
Mr Connor offered apologies on behalf of Mr Deher who was unable to come to Anguilla to present the donation. He said the donor was no stranger to Anguilla “as he used to travel to the island, as a child, accompanying his father, who had an engineering background, to fix the cotton mill in the factory”.
In accepting the cheque, Mrs Harrigan said: “I can honestly say that the funds, which have been donated, will make a significant impact on the children directly. We have seen that the work that the Arijah Foundation started in 2006 has had an incredible impact on enabling children who had significant challenges, to actually attend mainstream schools.”
She was grateful for Mr Deher’s kindness to a charitable and non-profit cause.
