The Federation President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), Sue Williams, arrived at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, August 14, and was greeted by members of the Soroptimist International Anguilla (SIA) led by President Ursil Webster Brooks.
Sue’s first visit to Anguilla coincided with SIA’s thirty-eighth-anniversary celebrations, and its members ensured that her four-day visit was filled with activities focused on the Club’s history and its service to the island. The numerous activities included a reception hosted by Governor Tim Foy at his residence, live interviews at Radio Anguilla and Klass FM, an island tour and home visits to some of the SIA founding members. The activities culminated with her attendance and participation at SIA’s annual anniversary banquet held on Friday evening, August 16, in the Soroptimist Center’s conference room.
Remarking on her impressions of Anguilla, Sue said she was extremely impressed by the determined spirit and tenacity of the people to rebuild their country following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. She observed, “The rebuilding of the country in a way to ensure continued societal progress is remarkable. For example, the new secondary school will take into account new technology and ensure the children on the island benefit from it.”
Sue also commended SIA for its rebuilding of the Soroptimist Day Care Center, the very first daycare centre established on Anguilla, in the 1980s, which lost its roof during Irma. She said, “The renovations are stunning, and the building will now be partially re-purposed to meet current educational needs. SIA has always been willing to respond to current issues. When they started the daycare centre many years ago, it was the only one on the island and it met the needs of families who needed daycare. Now, realizing that the most pressing need today is classroom space for the primary schools, SIA has entered into a contract with the government to provide space for a couple of classrooms for primary-aged children. This directly supports SIGBI’s vision and goal of educating, empowering and enabling women and girls across the world.”
Mrs. Sue Williams, accompanied by her husband, Jason, departed Anguilla on Saturday, August 17 for continued travel to other Soroptimist organizations around the Caribbean. She will participate in the biennial Soroptimist International Caribbean Network (SICN) conference to be held in Barbados from August 22 to August 24. Sue said the aim of the SICN conference is to unify Soroptimist members across the Caribbean in friendship and fellowship, realizing that kindness is a positive influencer. Topics to be addressed will include climate change, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Four SIA members will attend.
Women wishing to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls should consider joining Soroptimist International Anguilla. Contacts Angelina Carty and Hyacinth Bradley can be reached at 264-729-4794 or 264-476-9430; email angelinamuhammad@yahoo.co.uk.
– Contributed
