Children and adults across Anguilla, but particularly in The Valley area, will have opportunities for a wide area of assistance at the Herchel Gumbs Community Support Centre which will publicly begin functioning on January 6, 2020.
Located in the historically-regarded capital of Anguilla, the recently renovated community centre was formerly the residence of the late Herchel Gumbs, a renowned Anguillian businessmen and boat captain. It was transformed to serve as one of a number of community centres on the island. It was officially launched, in November 2019, by the Department of Youth Affairs and Culture which functions under the portfolio of the Ministry of Social Development.
The Manager of the Centre is Mrs. Melsadis Fleming, former Deputy Principal at Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Speaking to The Anguillian newspaper, she commented. “Things are proceeding very well. In January 2020 we intend to begin the official teaching of classes for support in homework and any form of research. We already have the timetable and from January 6, the first week of the reopening of schools, we will begin to roll.”
Known for her thoroughness, organisational skills and persuasiveness, Mrs. Fleming went on: “All children needing assistance, and all college students wanting to do research, are welcomed. We have at least fifteen computer stations. If persons want to do research and do not have access anywhere else, they can come to the Centre. Children from the Comprehensive School without the means to do their SBAs can have their work done at the Centre.
“For children from the primary schools, we have teacher Veda Harrigan coming in to teach Language; we have a Mathematics teacher – as well as other teachers coming in to provide additional support.”
Asked about the outreach of the Centre, Mrs. Fleming said: “It is mainly for The Valley, but anybody is accepted – so I am encouraging all persons to take advantage of our services. Other villages in Anguilla have had that support except The Valley, and many children would say they couldn’t do their homework because they didn’t have access to a computer – or no one at home was able to help them. Now that we have this Centre, children can no longer have that excuse. There will be qualified persons there to assist them.”
