Pond Ground, East End, where there are many young people and other persons needing personal development and assistance, is the latest section of Anguilla to have a community care centre. The facility, which boasts an array of computer equipment, study rooms and other facilities, joins similar privately-run centres on the island aimed at meeting some of the educational needs of young people.
The Pond Ground Care Centre was officially opened on Saturday evening, April 12, in a former residential building which has appropriately been refurbished to house it. The ribbon was cut by Dr. Clyde Bryan assisted by Tiandra Carter, one of the children at the event, and Palmavon Webster. The facility is akin to the Island Harbour Care Centre which was opened in 2009. They were both established by Attoney-at-Law, Palmavon Webster, spearheading the organising committees. The Pond Ground Care Centre, like all the other centres in Anguilla, has the support of the Ministry and Department of Youth and Culture.
Ms Kareen Harrigan is the Manager of the Island Harbour Care Centre. She said that centre was a successful model for the launch of the long-awaited new facility at Pond Ground. “I am fully aware of how important a role this institution will play in serving the Pond Ground community, and I am grateful for the presence of the wonderful people of Pond Ground and its environs,” she said in her welcome remarks.
Mr Bren Romney, Director of Youth Development and Culture, was impressed by the large number of children and young people at the event. “This is good and the centre is getting off on a rather impressive start,” he commented. “The persons who are going to benefit most from the doors being opened today are here, and I hope they leave with one impression – that this is a significant investment in their future. It has been made through a lot of sacrifices by a number of persons in their community who need to be acknowledged and appreciated.”
Mr Romney said such care centres facilitated the operations of his department in the communities, and he complimented everyone involved in the Pond Ground Community Care Centre.
Mr Jerome Roberts, Minister of Education and Youth Development, welcomed the opening of the centre, and called for a round of applause for Palmavon Webster and her team. “The purpose of this centre is to help develop and edify our young people and this is indeed a positive goal,” he stated in part. “I want to say to the young people, in particular, that this is your centre and your community – and I wish that you will embrace this centre with a sense of pride… A lot of time, effort, energy and financing have gone into putting a centre in your community. I think this is a strategic location, right in the heart of this community. It brings us an opportunity to continue to develop ourselves and our skills from a technical standpoint.”
The Minister said the Government was providing support for all the community centres in Anguilla through financial or human resource assistance. He pledged Government’s support for the Pond Ground Centre and disclosed that so far a commitment was made to contribute $34,000 annually to the Hope Centre at Sandy Hill. Further, Government committed itself to a contribution in excess of $70,000 to the Blowing Point Community Centre per annum. He added that Government had also committed to providing a small contribution (the details of which he did not reveal) to the Island Harbour Care Centre.
Attorney Palmavon Webster said she was very privileged to be part of the occasion. She observed that the strategic plan for the Island Harbour Care Centre had worked very well and had made a difference in the lives of young persons there. She said the plan was now being rolled out for the Pond Ground Centre. “It is in that spirit that I want each of you young persons to take advantage of this [centre],” she told the teeming youngsters at the event. “All we can do is to provide the opportunity. You have the desire; you will apply yourselves; you will do your homework and studies; you will be compliant, respectful and grateful. These are the values that all the great community stalwarts shared. Our responsibility as adults is to encourage and guide you, to show you on a daily basis that through caring, and by demonstrating the values of this community, we will succeed.”
Earlier during the event, a number of persons were honoured for their varied outstanding contributions. The first honourees were Mrs Daisy Richardson in recognition of her invaluable contribution to education in Anguilla; Mrs Susan Harrigan for outstanding commitment and dedication to the women and children of Anguilla; Ms Claudette Bryan, for outstanding dedication to the youth and community of East End; and Mr Evans Harrigan, an outstanding member of the East End community who served as a member of the Anguilla Council from 1972-1976.
Other persons were recognised for their contributions to the refurbishing of the building housing the Pond Ground Community Care Centre – and other related work. The centre is located on the main village road.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Ms Marie Horsford, a former senior public servant in the Department of Public Administration, and an ardent community activist. The ceremony was chaired by Mrs Hyacinth Bradley, Senior Programme Officer, Youth and Culture.
