The West End/Long Bay tourism capital of Anguilla is the newest village to launch a community centre, and the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School there is the first school with such an attached public facility.
The island’s Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, says such centres “are critical to the Ministry’s overall strategy to make our communities more peaceful, resourceful, enterprising and welcoming”.
Mr. Rogers, who, among other subjects, has responsibility for youth development, made the comment while speaking at the official launch of the centre on Thursday, January 7, 2016. The main crux of his address was as follows:
” This is a vision that the Department of Youth and Culture and the Ministry of Social Development share and have aggressively pursued in communities across Anguilla with the launch of the first centre in 2007- the Blowing Point Youth Development Centre; today’s launch of the West End Community Development Centre and the ongoing work by the Department of Youth and Culture and The Valley and surrounding communities to launch The Valley Youth and Community Development Centre in 2016. This is also evident in our on-going technical and financial support to Centres that were launched by community partners in the communities of Sandy Ground, North Hill, Island Harbour, Pond Ground and East End.
“Our partnerships with these communities and centres are critical to the Ministry’s overall strategy to make our communities more peaceful, resourceful, enterprising and welcoming.
“Our recurring cha llenges with crime and violence remind us of the urgency for our communities to become proactive agents for the cha nge they envision. Today I applaud the Long Bay, West End and surrounding communities for the steps you are taking in this regard.
“I am also encouraged by a recent report from the Department of Youth and Culture that the North Hill Community is curre ntly formal ising a Community Development Initiative.
“All these efforts provide hope for our future and our ability to proactively and effectively address the social challenges we fa
ce as a nation. No weapon raised, is more powerful then a people that decides to stand in the gap and become beacons of hope and opportunity.
“I now will direct my remarks to those that will benefit directly from this centre – community members and in particular, our youth.
“To the parents this is another resource that can provide academic assistance, personal development coaching and guidance to your children. Utilise it and aid its further development and growth. Become volunteers, teachers or resource persons t hat the centre can lean on from time to time.
“Encourage your children to be responsible users; adhering to the codes of cond uct and policies of the Centre; not abusers of the property or the equipment housed therein.
“Our children will be charged with the responsibility to move this nation forwa rd . How we prepare them for the roles they will play will directly impact the nation 1S future. Through Centres like this, we are creating an enabling environment that will help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be active and productive citizens. Our Community Centres should not be seen as baby sitting clubs.
“They desire the involvement of parents and guardians of the children and young people that will utilise them. Your guidance, advice and support will always be welcomed and valued. Visit the Centre and engage the staff, let them know you care and appreciate their efforts.
“To the children, young people, men and women who will benefit from this Centre; I hope you will appreciate the enormous resource that has been provided for your development.
“Its services will be offered at times that are convenient and the staff will be available to guide and provide assistance as needed.
“It is our collective hope, that this Centre inspires and empowers you to find and create opportunities for your personal development and that of your families.
“As you enrol in the various programmes and courses at the Centre, it is important that you do so with an open mind. Listen and learn from each other, grow and become active citizens. Develop and refine ideas, define strategies and action plans, and then make them work for the benefit of your communities.
“To the Board, you have a solemn responsibility to the communities you serve, the donors and the Government of Anguilla. It is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Approach it with an understanding and appreciation of the purpose behind the Centre; with diligence; commitment and dedication; compassion and an acute adherence for established financial and managerial processes and procedures.
“Work hand in hand with the Department of Youth and Culture to advance our collective vision for this Centre. lf so done, you will always find the Ministry of Social Development to be a willingly and supportive partner.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Elected Representative for the district and Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Development, took special pride in the establishment of the centre. “I am equally pleased to have pledged during the political campaign, and since elected, worked closely with the Department of Youth and Culture and the Centre’s Board, to make this official launch a reality for the benefit of the people of Long Bay, West End and surrounding communities,” he said.
Other substantial portions of Mr. Connor’s address were as follows:
“Today we celebrate not only the creation of a valuable new facility for all of the residents of this area, but we also with pride acknowledge the vibrant community spirit which drove electricians, carpenters and painters contributed labour and at times materials to ensure completion. We thank you and I can assure you that our community and people will benefit greatly from your sacrifices and contributions. The real wealth of a truly functioning community lies in its people.
“The greatest resource is that of a community with the will to work together, to draw strength from each other and to share talents, skills and resources for the benefit of all. Irrespective to your contribution, you played a significant role in the ongoing development of your community and you left your own mark for all to see.
“I conclude my congratulating us as a people for what is accomplished thus far and wish all those who will utilize the Centre and its programmes, every future success.”
Prominent member of the West End/Long Bay Community, Rev. Wilmoth Hodge, a Methodist Minister-in-Training, gave the response. Following were his main comments:
“1. It offers opp ortu nities for personal development. People of all ages are offe red t:t second chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations. And so I think of those persons who may be thinking that they have lost that opportunity as they have grown old or older. Then I think of that person who is not too old, probably just out of school but did not grasp fully the opportunities of their school days and now realizes that within them as in every human being lies the potential to be all that they can be with God’s help.
“I also recognlze that the realization of individual goals can only be possible when individuals give willingly of their time and free spirit to help others. This community center will only fulfill its obligation to this community and Anguilla as a whole when as many volunteers as possible come forward to give back some of what the community has enabled them to be for the benefit of all.
“2. I also envisage t his center as the catalyst for forging new bonds of corporation and comradery within this community. A place where people can come and engage each other socially and use their knowledge and experience to instruct children and young people in various disciplines of life. I therefore see the revival of indoor sporting activities helping to foster greater friendships and friendly rivalry between the young and old, whilst eliminating the various negative energies that seem to have permeated society.
“This community has a rich heritage in the production of art andcraft, but we are losing this aspect of our culture as the older generations pass on. Perhaps this center can salvage what is left out there. We must do our best to bring in such skilled individuals as we seek to pass on these valuable traditions to the younger generation and generations yet unborn.
“It is my hope that t hose involved in the programme planning department of this centre will engage the entire community for ideas and expertise that will meet the needs and aspirations of the community. We must rnake a special effort to reach out to the parents of children who are not reaching their full potential because they lack the care and guidance that after-school nurturing can provide. I therefore think of the children of parents who speak a different language, and parents who are missing in one way or another at critical times in their children’s lives. These children will now be given the opportunity to benefl’t tremendously from classes geared towards helping children tu complete their homework assignments.
“I believe that the primary target of this center is to help the young gain and regain a sense of worth as productive citizens for themselves, their families and community. Hence it is imperative that we do not just sit here and wait for them to come, but that we meet them where ever they are to make them aware of the benefits of the center.
This Center must not be a secret, but must be establish as a city set upon a hill where ali can see its value to the community at large.”
Earlier, Mrs. Kristie Richardson-Harrigan, Secretary of the Board, gave the welcome remarks and Mrs. Ornette Edwards-Gumbs, a former Principal, chaired the proceedings. Mrs. Edward Gumbs is the Board’s Chairperson. Other members are Mr. Mark Romney, Vice Chairman; Ms. Tricia Richardson, Treasurer; and Glenneva Hodge, Public Relations Officer.
