It is only one year since it began operations, but the Herchel Gumbs Community Support Centre, in the historic Upper Valley, is turning out to be a most progressive and highly-organised children’s educational facility in Anguilla.
It is no wonder that it is making so much progress and is such an exciting venture, given the fact that the Centre Manager is retired Deputy Principal at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Mrs. Melsadis Fleming, known for her community outreach, dedication and organisational skills.
Not even the onset of COVID-19 last year, the continuing difficulties of social distancing and the need to protect its some 61 children, could stop the progress of the Centre. It is Mrs. Fleming’s known hard work, and popular charisma, that attracted a large number of officials from the Ministry and Department of Education, parents, support team of tutors and other members of the public to the Centre’s first anniversary exhibition.
Not taking all the credit, Mrs. Fleming presented awards to various persons for their varied assistance even before the official commencement of the programme. She also brought on three female students from Campus B of the Comprehensive School who have been of great assistance to the work of the Centre. The schoolgirls, Gemique Hughes, Claudia Samuel and Monique Connor, have also been radio broadcasting students.
“The Centre was interrupted several times by COVID-19,” Mrs. Fleming acknowledged. “Nevertheless, we made use of our quarantine period. We worked during COVID, observing social distancing, but we did what we had to do. Our students are the ones who will be hosting this event. We did a practical component – in addition to the theoretical aspects of the community centre. Some of them did radio broadcasting. The three girls were attached to KOOL FM, and they are the ones responsible to take over now and to come in between the programme.”
Following the opening phase of the programme, the large number of invitees filled the display and classrooms of the Centre to capacity. They were able to view and admire various items of arts and crafts done by the children and tutors – many pieces perhaps under the influence of Mrs. Fleming, a very impressive artist in the community. Apart from the arts and crafts work there were several classroom settings of computer equipment, subject displays and a host of other scenes that added colour and content to the exhibition.
Subjects offered at the Centre include Mathematics, Language Arts, Computer Science, Financial Literacy, Reading, Home-Work Assistance, Physical Education and Creative Expressions.
Persons among the audience spoke in appreciation of the work and organisation of the Centre in which a keen player is the Department of Youth and Culture. The exhibition was not only a most welcome and impressive event, but one that immediately gave distinction and commendation to the Centre and those who administer it.
The Herchel Gumbs Community Support Centre is the newest of a number of other such centres in Anguilla. It is named after one of Anguilla’s former boat owners, sailors and general businessmen.
As a further tribute to his memory, the Centre is located in his former residence which was appropriately renovated for its current use.
In addition to the oversight and assistance of the Department of Youth and Culture, and the Ministry and Department of Education, FLOW Anguilla was a noted sponsor of the exhibition.
