Every community, like every person, has its unique traits. Some are highly visible, some are harder to notice, some defy easy explanation and others are taken for granted. In this editorial, we offer some observations about things around the Federation that, for whatever reason, don’t get noticed enough. We want to change that, if only for a moment:
– The Alexandra Hospital Auxiliary Society on Nevis held a Fun Fair last week to raise money to purchase medical equipment. The members – with little acknowledgement from the community as a whole – have, with patience, determination, kindness and good humour, worked for over three decades to improve the hospital and the nursing home. They have been successful in their ongoing effort to make these facilities better, which improves the quality of life on Nevis. Their contributions transcend the merely notable; their work is remarkable. We thank them for all their work, wish them well in their future endeavours and we hope members of the community will go out of their way to say “thank you” to the members of the Auxiliary.
– The Organization of American States recently sponsored a work training program to assist women who had lost their job as the result of the closing of the sugar industry. The training sessions were coordinated by the Department of Gender Affairs within the Ministry of Social and Community Development. Local businessmen also contributed time and know-how, for a very small stipend, to teach these courses.
The participants were trained in upholstery and tiling and had classes in literacy and managing your own business. All of this prepares them for jobs in the growing local economy and gives them a better chance at a fuller, more rewarding life.
This kind of work training may lack the glamour and thrill of other forms of education, but that does not detract from the accomplishments of those who participated. They have gained real-world skills. They have shown they have the desire to move forward.
To those who organized this training, the instructors, and the graduates we say, “Take a bow.” You earned it.
-It has been two long weeks for the staff at the Vance Amory International Airport. They have had to cope with the inconveniences caused by the need to repair a fire truck, which, for safety reasons, caused American Eagle passengers to go to St. Kitts for flights.
Anyone who has ever driven a vehicle for any length of time knows the frustration of waiting to get one fixed after it has broken down. Multiply that frustration many, many times and you may get a feeling for what the airport staff has endured. It hasn’t been easy.
Now it looks like the repairs are on the verge of being completed and the normal flight schedule can be resumed. When that occurs, it will be a relief for everyone – the airport staff, the airline and travellers.
Through it all, the airport staff and managers have done their best to help passengers and keep other flight operations proceeding smoothly. They have performed well in all of this and we express our gratitude to them for hanging in there and getting the job done.
