By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Frigate Bay, Basseterre) – In a show of unity and friendship, members of the Anguilla, Nevis and St. Kitts Associations Reunion (ANSAR) gathered at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort in the grand ballroom for their General Session on Saturday June 21. It was their 13th reunion. The ANSAR 2008 Program ran from Friday, June 20-Sunday, June 22.
They gathered together under the theme: “One people, One Purpose: Working Together for Progress and Prosperity.”
ANSAR was conceived in1983 by Faustina France-Carbonneau and the executive body of the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Montreal. The birth of ANSAR was realized when they met for the first time in Montreal, Canada, in 1984.
At the General Session on June 21, from 9:00 am-12:30 pm, there were various delegates, dignitaries and attendees including His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Governor General, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Condor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Joseph Parry, Premier of Nevis, Hon. Curtis Martin, Speaker of National Assembly, Mr. Joseph Edmeade, Chief Secretary, Mrs. Adina Payne, Chairperson ANSAR 2008 St. Kitts and Mr. George Richards, Founder of St. Kitts-Nevis Returning Nationals Association (RNA).
Mrs. Adina Payne in her welcoming remarks set the tone for the proceedings.
“We are here because we share a commonality of interests. We all love our homes so dearly, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis,” she said. “Old friendships are renewed and strengthened and new ones develop at reunions like this.”
Mr. George Richards, who delivered the message on behalf of the St. Kitts-Nevis Returning Nationals Associations (RNA), said that the last ANSAR reunion was held in St. Kitts 20 years ago.
“Today we are gathered here in St. Kitts for another ANSAR reunion. Enjoy the best ANSAR ever,” Mr. Richards said.
In speaking about the RNA, Mr. Richards said that the national association is nine years old and has achieved maturity.
In acknowledging the vision of Faustina France-Carbonneau he said:
“One people, one purpose working together for progress and prosperity clearly encapsulate her vision and fulfills her ideals.”
Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris in his presentation said that he was delighted to see so many nationals returning home because there is no place like home. Dr. Harris said that oneness and unity sums up the theme of the reunion.
“When I reflect on the words of the theme, a number of familiar sayings come to mind: ‘No man is an island, no man stands alone’, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’, ‘There is power in numbers’. The common thread in all of these statements highlights the power of collectivity in achieving goals and this fact is something I am sure we can all attest to.”
Dr. Harris said that St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla had much in common with their history.
“The islands of St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla have long shared a history dating back to the days of discovery, settlement, slavery and colonialism and internal self government. All three of our islands were settled by the English in the 1600s and we were later incorporated into a single British dependency in the late nineteenth century, 1883 to be exact. The three-island dependency achieved full internal autonomy in 1967.”
Although the Anguilla Rebellion of 1967 saw Anguilla separating from St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Harris said that the unity that could not be achieved by political intervention was achieved at the level of the people.
The Hon. Sam Condor gave the address in the absence of Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas. He applauded the work of ANSAR.
“I believe that as an organization, ANSAR has played a very important role, in ensuring that Nationals are seized of, and become involved in the developmental affairs of their countries – both as individuals and as a body of Nationals, who take enormous pride in seeing their beloved islands prosper economically and socially. Certainly, we commend those of you who consistently take the time to get involved in the development processes of Anguilla, and St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Mr. Condor highlighted the fact that 2008 is a significant year as St. Kitts and Nevis is celebrating 25 years of its independence. He said that we had achieved much in 25 years against all odds and that we must be proud of our achievements. He said that we must reflect upon the things we did that were right and helpful and upon those we must avoid and rescind.
Premier Joseph Parry of the Nevis Island Administration in his message said that although we were different islands, strong family ties kept us together and that we all have the same goals and objectives. He said that we must learn to work together, live together and share together. He said that in order for us to progress as a people we must undertake the necessary training and education to be more efficient in the society. Training and education of our people brings about a reduction in criminal activity he said.
As we continue to develop economically and otherwise, we must always remember that people are important, Mr. Parry said.
“Whatever we do must be people focused. People must be at the center of what we do,” Mr. Parry said.
Dr. Spencer Eugene Amory, Kittitian, delivered the keynote address, which evoked a standing ovation.
Dr. Amory is the Chief of General Surgery at Columbia Medical Center and the Jose M. Ferrier Clinical Professor of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has served on the faculty at the University for 19 years. He is married to a Kittitian and has three children.
The overall tone of Dr. Amory’s message was an attitude of gratitude.
“An attitude of gratitude drives me. I give thanks to the divine presence in me. I give thanks to God,” he said. “Gratitude has kept my ego in check.”
He said that although he was a well-to-do man who had accomplished a lot, he realized that material success meant little because it could be gone in a flash. Successes are gifts to be shared and enjoyed and apparent failures are gifts of opportunity for growth he said.
Mr. Goldwyn Caines humorously chaired the proceedings. Ms. Kayla Bass rendered beautifully the song entitled, “There’s a Hero in Everybody’s Heart.” The performance by Youth Outreach Dance Ministry was graceful.
The General Session of ANSAR ended with a sumptuous lunch that added to the atmosphere of unity and friendship.
