1. Governor Dwight's Message – To be submitted 2. Governor Elect Lynden's Message 3. Barbican Pines 4. Central Circle 5. Optimist Club of St. John's 6. Optimist Club of Anguilla 7. Optimist Club of Sunset Kingston 8. Optimist Club of North St Andrew 9. Optimist Club of Barbados North 10. Scenic Castleton 11. Optimist Club of Golden Lydford 12. Oratorical 2012 13. Zone 5 Health Fair 14. Essay 15. Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados 16. Optimist Club of St Thomas 17. Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown 18. Ocho Rios
WHAT’S INSIDE 4
Governor Dwight’s Message
5
Governor Elect Lynden’s Message
6-7
Barbican Pines
8-9
Central Circle
10
Optimist Club of St. John’s
11
Optimist Club of Anguilla
12
Optimist Club of Sunset Kingston
13-14
Optimist Club of North St Andrew
15
Optimist Club of Barbados North
16
Scenic Castleton
17-18
Optimist Club of Golden Lydford
18-19
Oratorical 2012
19
Zone 5 Health Fair
20
Essay
21
Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados
22
Optimist Club of St Thomas
22-24
Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown
25
Ocho Rios
Dwight's GOVERNOR
MESSAGE
I
“Power of One” Optimists,
would like, on behalf of the Powerful Caribbean District, to express our condolences to all the optimists and family of optimists who have passed, since our last get-together in February. We want you to know that we are here for you, and the Caribbean optimist family will support you in this time of sadness, and will continue to pray for you. BIG congratulations to all the winners of both the Essay and Oratorical Competitions. Again, you did us and indeed yourselves proud. Thanks to all the clubs who sponsored contestants. It is now time to turn your attention to the upcoming CCDHH, slated for June 9, 2012. Please ensure that your club sponsors one of our special children, they deserve our support. Congratulations also to CP Pat and her team, for another successful staging of our annual Cancer Brunch. Thanks to all who supported this brunch. Not much has happened since our second quarter conference in terms of growth and New Club Building. I therefore implore all of us to pick up the PACE. In our various optimist endeavours, we need to apply;- Passion: Action: Commitment: & Energy, as I also encouraged us in February. I would like to thank all the clubs that have conducted NOW meetings and have recruited new members, and to
encourage all the other clubs to do likewise. Please ensure that when members are recruited, that they are made fully aware of their financial obligations. I am imploring Secretary/Treasurers to get aggressive and not to allow the payment of dues to get out of hand and become unmamageable. Presidents, please also ensure that the Officer Elect Reports are submitted to OI at this time. As we converge on U.W.I., Cave Hill, Barbados and Idlers’ Rest, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, for our third quarter regional conferences, I encourage us to network and fellowship, and learn from each other, as we plan our various joint projects, so that we can continue to support each other and strengthen each other, to achieve 100%, and then some. Let us continue to provide hope and a positive vision for the children that we serve. Have a wonderful conference and continue to Reach Out, Join Hands and Help our Children to Soar, Shine and experience the Power of One. Gov. Dwight B. L. Phillips May, 2012
Message Lynden Buchanan GOVERNOR ELECT
S
ervice, and in particular voluntary service, is in great demand in today’s society. In our Caribbean experience, Optimists have been at the forefront of this charge. Quoting from the Purposes of an Optimist Club as declared by Optimist International, we serve “in the belief that the giving of oneself in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.” With this in mind, I encourage all Caribbean Optimists to make a special effort to improve our quality of service. Let’s use our creative intelligence and bond as one in this POWER OF ONE year to make a serious impact on service, especially to our children. This calls for commitment in a number of ways: Doing what we do from our hearts; sharing Optimism and thus adding more members ( more persons to serve); building new clubs (creating impact in new communities) and financing our operations (paying our dues and leveraging support from the relevant sources)
With this commitment in place, we will make a difference for those we serve and in the end; we will individually and collectively reap the rewards in recognition for our excellent service. We are now at the third quarter and so there is still time, look around and see where you can serve. Take the leading role, don’t wait for someone else to do start, and as our International President Jack puts it “give 100% and then some”
Lynden Buchanan
Lynden Buchanan Governor Elect – Optimist International Caribbean District
S E IN P N A IC B R BA OPTIMIST CLUB OF
Photos taken at the beginning of our Walkathon at Immaculate High where we assembled. This was done on Saturday the 31st of March which was celebrated as “I AM AN OPTIMIST DAY Target of $200,000.00 was exceeded.
Headmistress Miss Johnson addressing the children while her assistant looks on. DPLtg. Sonia & DOPLtg. Fay serving the children Children having their lunch Miss Johnson – Principal of Shortwood Basic School and DPLtg. Sonia feeding the children.
Pres. Talking to the children while DPLtg. Sonia Barr looks on.
cont’d
Feeding Programme
Pres. Having a good time with the children – they were actually wishing me a happy birthday. DPLtg. Sonia in background.
Children enjoying their lunch
Optimist Club of
CENTRAL CIRCLE REPORT TO BE PRESENTED AT 3rd QUARTER ZONE MEETING
W
e started our 3rd. Quarter on a very positive note as we installed five new members in our club.
We were delighted to accept our banner fromLtg. Sandi Spalding.when she graced us with her presence at our Monthly meeting on the 8th of March and made the presentation. She was accompanied by S/T Verna Valentine.
ACTIVITIES
Central Circle is now the Parent Club of the JOOI Club at Campion College High School. The adoption took place in February.
WORK IN PROGRESS Arrangement is being made to have a presentation on the “Respect for Law” to a group of children before the month ends.
On the 31st of March we visited St Richards Church on Red Hill Road and provided lunch for the children from the community- an out-reach programme of the Church.
We also have on our agenda a movie afternoon with a group of children at St. Richards School. This will be in recognition of “Child Month”.
We visited The Wortley Home for Girls on Holy Thursday where we spent four exciting hours. The girls were treated with bun and cheese, patties, ice cream and a cool drink, after which, several games were played. It was a very enjoyable afternoon for all ofus.
HOUSE KEEPING
We had one NOW meeting jointly with Barbican Pines on the 29th of Apriland another is planned for later this month.
Our District dues were paid. And OI dues will be paid before Regional Meeting. Central Circle will be represented at the Regional Meeting in June
President Delrose was so happy to accept the Banner for our Club from Ltg. Sandi Spalding, on her visit to our monthly meeting on March 8. She was accompanied by S/T Verna Valentine. Here they are scattered all over. Prizes were given to the first three girls who found the most Easter eggs.
On the 31st of March we journeyed to St. Richards Church on Red Hills Road to provide lunch for the children from the community - the outreach programme of the Church
The proud members posed for the camera after the presentation of our banner Look at the happy faces after they were fed with bun and cheese, ice cream and a cool drink.
Time for departure. Here members posed for the camera along with teacher of the programme.
Here five of our newest members each displayed their package after they were pinned and officially installed. President Delrose is surrounded by -from left, Denise Dallas, Alicia Walker, Camille Hyatt and Sandrene Bowen. In back row is Omar Lemonious.
They watched while the girls enjoyed themsefves
Optimist Club of
St. John’s
The process is far from over and there is no telling how many candidates may come forward to offer themselves in service as Governor of this great Caribbean District for the year 2013/14 but the Optimist Club of St. John’s is proud to have submitted for the first time a candidate for that position. Below is an interview conducted with charter member Nutilia Simon who as of March this year has served the Optimist movement for 20 years.
(1)Tell us about your early days as an Optimist? Why did you join the club? I was brought up in a community where it was your duty to give service, my family was no different. Children were told that visiting the sick and needy was a basic expectation on Sunday afternoon after Sunday School. Reaching out to and giving back is therefore engrained in my very being. That childhood service formed the foundation for the adult I became. So when Past Gov. Erol Alliman and his team asked me to become a part of the great Optimist club of St. John’s it was quite easy for me to commit. Twenty years ago my three older children were themselves finding their way in the world, leaving the nest, so to speak, and my youngest was willing to tag along and help out. When I read the creed it sealed the deal. It seemed as though a part of me had missing the service giving of my youth, Optimism filled the void .
2) Tell us a bit about the first few projects that your club got involved with back in 1992?
I remember a school bus with over 20 children on an expedition to an old abandoned Fort. The outing was an experience for the children. Many had never had the opportunity to visit the Fort or to learn about the history of the area. I remember a Drug awareness programme. All government/ public primary schools on the island were visited. Talks were given by three individuals with the expertise in their respective field; The Drug Enforcement Agency of our local police force who displayed the drugs and gave details of the drugs; Medical personnel & Religious personnel.
(3) People often speak of projects and what we do for the children but what has membership in this great organization done for you personally? High on the list could be the training that I have received and am now able to pass on in various areas. This has increased my confidence. However the friendships that I have forged with people who I would never have met, were it not for Optimism, are invaluable. My early days as an Optimist were very fulfilling. I remember the fellowship, camaraderie, sharing of information and networking. The common objective of service brought people from varying backgrounds together in friendship. When
our meeting ended we often found ourselves gathered in a restaurant or club in fellowship.
(4) You are known as a person who seldom misses a conference or convention. We understand that the fact that you were an airline employee made it more affordable but there were still other things that you could have done with your weekends. What made you return quarter after quarter, year after year? A quest for knowledge; to learn more about the organization and the vast information in life skills that could be passed on to others especially my children. It is important for any individual to visit with their family. The Optimist Movement is for me an extension of my family or perhaps it is better described as another family completely. To maintain a good relationship with my husband and children I spend time with them. I think that we need to think of our clubs and our districts in the same light. Getting together, spending time with each other is vital.
(5) Tell us about one or two of your most memorable moments as an Optimist?
My first International Convention was amazing. We had a wonderful adventure driving as a group from Miami to San Antonio- Texas. Thoughts of building the Optimist Club of Roseau brings a smile to my face. It was a challenge. For me it was an anxious but amazing new journey. But etched forever in my memory is the support of my Club during the illness and subsequent passing of my firstborn. This solidified that acquaintances had become friends and friends had become family. (6) What do you see for the future of the Caribbean District? I see an explosion of growth in many ways. I see us learning new things, getting to know each other better. Becoming more familiar with our environment and loving every minute of the journey. I see us spending more quality time with each other and with the youth around us so that we never forget that as Optimist we will always be the friend of the delinquent boy, friend of the boy and the best possible FRIEND OF YOUTH.
International JOOI Committee Member Avon Carty, reads to grade 4 pupils of the Vivian Vanterpool Primary School
Anguilla Optimist Club of
Optimists Read as Part of Special Education Needs Week in Anguilla
O
ptimists in Anguilla were invited to participate in ing activity, which over all went very well. the ‘Special Education Needs (SEN) Week’ of activities which, this year was observed from the 16 – 23 March The involvement of adult and Junior Optimists was greatly 2012. The invitation followed on members’ very successful appreciated by the Education Department, and pupils reinvolvement in the 2011 ported enjoying having SEN week where Junior Opthe Optimists read to timists from the Progressive them. All the OptiYouth Octagon Club and mists who participated Kids for the Future JOOI also indicated that it Club read to students at the was a rewarding and various primary schools on fulfilling experience the island. The Best End and something that JOOI Club also participated should be done more last year when President often. Jadisha Henry read to the Treasurer of Best End JOOI Club children at the Blossom It was agreed by OpChristy Cox, reads to pupils in her school’s Centre, an institution for timists and officers in Reading Recovery class children with special needs. the Reading Recovery and Special Education This year, Optimists were Needs Departments invited to read to the ‘Reading Recovery’ Students at the six that an ongoing programme should be put in place to alGovernment primary schools. Members from the Optimist low more frequent opportunities for Optimists to read the Club of Anguilla, the Young Adults Optimists Club and children in Special Education Needs and Reading Recovery three of the JOOI Clubs participated in the week long read- classes.
Sunset Kingston Optimist Club of
A
s Optimists it is our duty to assist and care for the most vulnerable and innocent group in our society - the children. They are our future. No matter the age group we must strive to touch their lives in a positive way. Teenagers are a unique sub-group because they are at a pivotal point in their lives where they are discovering themselves. It is with this in mind that the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston found it important not only to make this subgroup a part of our primary focus but also to identify a special grouping of teens who need some extra special support. The club has in the past had a relationship with the Mary’s Child Home for Girls. But for the current Optimist and beyond we decided that we needed to strengthen that relationship and become more involved with the home. The only home of its kind in Jamaica, Mary’s Child provides a comfortable environment for young pregnant or nursing mothers who were taken from an unsuitable situation by the social service authorities. Many of the cases are as a result of abusive circumstances. At Mary’s Child, the young girls are able to live with and care for their children.
Our journey with Mary’s Child has been a remarkable one. We have scheduled themed visits with them each month and the girls look forward to seeing the members of the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston each month. These themed monthly visits include: − A movie evening − Career Talk − 1-on-1 discussions − Health & Sexuality workshop − Talk Up Youth − Career Fair & Treat The girls have shared their life goals and ambitions and their selfless love for their children. These young ladies have been through many challenges yet are still able to smile and look forward to what life has to offer. We cannot change their past, but we can offer hope and support to help mold a positive future for them. “Let me do all the good I can, to all the people I can, as often as I can, for I shall not pass this way again.” ~ John Wesley
Optimist Club of
North St Andrew COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Nestle representative listens intently to a student.
Lessons in Good Nutrition A group of 5th & 6th graders of Alpha Primary School were treated to helpful tips on nutrition and wellness from the team at Nestle Consumer Services on May 18th. The representatives engaged the students with interactive games and made learning an enjoyable experience. The presentation helped them to make healthier choices in their daily lives as well as encouraged the sharing of information with others. Following the presentation, copies of health books were presented to the school’s library so that the students may benefit from continued education in health. Nestle representative engages the students in questions on nutrition.
Students participating in an activity.
Books donated to the library
A day with Soft-Sheen Carson In recognition of Child’s Month, the girls at Elsie Bemand Girls home were treated to a special presentation on grooming and deportment from Soft-Sheen Carson on May 12th. Dr. Hyacinth Oates, technical consultant and tricologist of Soft-Sheen Carson shared helpful iips on hair care, skin care and general deportment. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and participated in the question and answers segment where prizes were awarded.
The girls look on intently as Dr. Hyacinth Oates conducts hair analysis.
Dr. Oates explains the benefits of Soft-Sheen products.
Book donation to Kingston College The Kingston College library received a welcome boost recently with the donation of fifty-two (52) textbooks on varied subject areas from Mathematics, Geography to Politics. The books were presented to the Fortis Octagon Club of Kingston College on May 16th. This contribution represented a combined effort by Sangster’s Bookstore and Kingston Bookshop.
Display of textbooks beside clubs’ banners
R-L - Verna Valentine, Secretary/Treasurer, Ms. Moy Lem, Teacher, Ms. Barnes, Librarian, Lloyd Smalling, President, Daniel Lewis & Kymani Calvin - Fortis Representatives.
Display of textbooks
Welfare Officer Mrs. Angela Leacock(left) Senior Welfare Officer Mrs. Lorraine Willett accepting donations from OCBN President Harriette Williams
Optimist Club of
Barbados North OCBN Celebrates Ten Years
T
he month of March was a significant one for the members of Optimist Club of Barbados North as we celebrated our tenth anniversary. This milestone was greatly anticipated and was commemorated by a week of activities.
benefitting from projects conducted by OCBN. Many of these collaborations are ongoing and include: an annual Christmas party; Educational Tours; Fun Days; Cinema outings and other projects which benefit the children. The week of activities ended on March 31 which was also observed as “I am an Optimist Day” . The club’s annual Fish Fry, which functions as its most profitable fund raiser was held on this occasion. The esplanade at the Fitts Village location was decorated with “I am an Optimist” posters and the event was attended by a large number of persons. The highlight for the evening was the drawing of the door prize which was a luncheon for two at a popular south coast hotel.
Prize winner Randolph Woodrofffe receiving his prize from OCBN President Harriette Williams
The club’s installation took place on March 27th, 2002 and so the week of March 25 – 31 was selected as the period to concentrate activities. The week commenced with a 10th Anniversary celebratory church service at The St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. At this service prayers were offered for the service the club provides for the community and a blessing was proclaimed on the club and its members. The mid-week activity focused on a presentation to the Welfare Department. The office in particular was one located in the north of the island. This division of the national governmental agency has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with OCBN for the past seven years. This partnership has resulted in some 350 children
OCBN is grateful to current and past members, wellwishers and family members who have all contributed to its continued presence and its success in fulfilling its mandate “Bringing out the best in kids”.
Optimist Club of
Golden Lydford
The Golden Lydford Club sponsored a Six-a-side knockout Football and Netball competiton with 4 teams entering for the football competition and 4 teams entering for the netball competiotion. The ALL ANGLES “ team came ot as winners for the football competition and “THE CLAREMONT POLICE YOUTH CLUB” came out as winners for the netball competition.
The Golden Lydford Club swearing in two of our newest members at our NOW meeting. Optimist Meghaan and Optimist Erica. Welcome guys!!!!!!!!!
Oratorical 2012 T
2011-2012 Oratorical Contest
he premier speech contest of the Optimist movement, the Oratorical competition, was held on Saturday April 14 at the Norman Manley Law School on the University of the West indies, Mona campus, and by all accounts this year’s batch of contestants demonstrated that the contest was on the improve. In this, the 12th staging of the program there were 8 Zones represented from the Great Caribbean District, with students from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and St. Lucia. From as young as an eight year old to a 18 year old, the audience of nearly one hundred was enthralled by the presentations of the youngsters who spoke of the topic “How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles”. Even though off to a late “Caribbean time” start after the Opening remarks by Oratorical Chair Sonia Barr, the invocation by LtG. Sonia Johnson and the instruction by Master of Ceremonies PG Granville Newell, the audience then sat in to enjoy the dissertations of the 10 boys and 6 girls. As usual orators chose to speak from different angles and
varying perspectives; but each spoke from the heart with poignant personal experiences, magnificent analysis, creative interpretation of the moot, and great delivery. The audience was treated to quotation after quotation from well known scholars, not so well known family sayings, and even a bit of Creole. Invoking biblical, dictionary or cultural nuisances, the youngsters spoke of how in their own lives “optimism was the bulldozer” they used to overcome their obstacles. The Optimist movement has three sets of contests in which our children are encouraged to participate: Essay, Oratorical, and The CCDHH (Competition for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). In this edition of the Oratorical Contest the District was therefore pleased to have a blind contestant from Zone 12 (Barbados), Miss Janiel Odle. Naturally questions would emerge about a special contest for the visually challenged. Janeil spoke truly of her personal experiences with obstacles in her life and how Optimism has allowed her to overcome them. She spoke of how her ”bus” (in reference to her new condition, as she lost her sight at age 5) was no longer able to take her where she wanted to go anymore, but how, with a positive outlook on life she has not allowed her disability to affect her “ability” to do anything.
The presentations from most of the contestants spoke volumes of how our young people in our region believe that with a positive attitude nothing is impossible to achieve, that the “glass is not half empty, nor half full” but wherever it is, it is FULL. The judges in this year’s competition did have their plates full as they took over an hour to finally come to decisions. Ably assisted by Dervan Malcom and Heidi Ann Haughton, chief judge Tony Patel had the awesome task of deliberating the first, second and third place boy and girl. Mr. Patel in his chief judge’s report spoke of the high standard of the presentations. That, he said, was testament to why they took longer this year to adjudge the winners. Patel indicated they were all winners and that the margin of victory was very slim. In fact, there were many instances when they were tabulating
the scores that they had to find ways to not have 3 first place winners, 3 second place winners, and so on. But as the contest rules dictate there can be only one winner for each category, regardless of how difficult a task to accomplish. It was the duty of the Master of Ceremony to announce of the results as follows: Boys (1st) Shekinah Ade-Gold - Jamaica (2nd) Jahvez Hamiltion - Angullia (3rd) Authur Thomas - Antigua Girls (1st) Kayla Harris - Antigua (2nd) Janeil Odel - Barbados (3rd) Arielle Gaskin - Anguilla
Zone 5 Health Fair Zone five in collaboration with the Gardener’s View Baptist Church in Bull Bay St. Andrews hosted a Health Fair on Saturday April 28, 2012. All clubs of the zone was represented. This event was a success. We had the opportunity of serving over two hundred (200) persons of that community. We offered free eye testing, blood pressure checks, HIV testing, blood sugar testing and persons were also able to see a doctor. Some persons who had their eyes tested were referred for glasses or further eye care. Most of the persons that were seen by the doctor were elderly who are faced with financial challenges and would think really hard about going to the doctor, hence this was a good opportunity for them to get some well needed medical attention. Members of the scout club were on hand to set up a kiddie’s village and keep the children entertained and occupied. We wish to express our gratitude to NHT for sponsoring the Lion’s club eye screening, Colgate for the kiddies’ packages, St. Thomas Optimist Club for inviting Mr. Trevor Myers from Eyelight Optical and Mr. Henry Shirley from RJR for highlighting the day’s event. All in all we were please that we were able to assist persons in the community and base upon the positive
Essay Contest Prize Giving 2012
Front Row : Claudette Franscique, Essay Contest Chairperson; Jamie Che Newsome, contestant; Grace-Ann V Samuels, 3rd place winner, Kensington Primary; Ray-Anne Hamil, contestant; Arielle Brown, 2nd place winner, Immaculate Conception High School; Paje Farquharson, contestant, Clan Carthy Primary; Nkechi-Ann Porter, contestant, Campion College. Back Row : Gov. Dwight Phillips; Diandra Maitland, contestant, Bishop Gibson High School; Tremaine Dixon, contestant,Wolmers’ Boys High School.
How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Community”
I
t was sweet sweet victory for zone 12 when 17 year old Deshon Griffith, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Bridgetown Barbados copped the top spot in the 2012 Essay Contest. It was a very exciting and competitive contest, with eleven of the thirteen zones entering contestants for the competition. The quality of the essays submitted by the students was excellent and reflected the high standards with which we have become familiar over the past few years. It was therefore no surprise that the scores were quite impressive with most students scoring over 70 per cent. In the words of the chief judge Patricia Donald, “it was a keenly contested competition with one limitation which is that there could only be one winner”. In the end, Deshon Griffith was declared the winner; sixteen year old Arielle Brown sponsored by the Optimist Club of Barbican Pines placed second; and little Miss Grace-Ann Samuelssponsored by the Optimist Club of Kensington placed third. In presenting his views on the topic, “How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Community,” Deshon was care-
ful not to limit himself to his geographical community but also highlighted his school and church communities. He highlighted his own challenges and how his approach to dealing with them benefited those around him. He also highlighted his own God given talent of singing and how this has benefited the different communities he is a part of. There is no doubt that age is not a factor in Deshon ability to have a positive impact on his community. For his efforts Deshon won a scholarship valued at US$2,500 from Optimist International, a cash award of US$200 from the Caribbean District and a district plaque. Deshon who was unavoidably absent from the presentation ceremony due to CAPE exam obligations expressed gratitude for the recognition and pointed out that he is especially delighted to be the first one from Barbados to win this contest. He was particularly thankful to the Optimist movement for opening another window of opportunity for him in facilitating the furthering of his education at the tertiary level. He also thanked all those involved in the planning of this year’s competition and the organisation on a whole for affording him the opportunity to excel.
Progressive Barbados optimist club of
Progressive Optimists clean beach On April 28, when most people were still in their beds, members of the Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados were up before sunrise preparing for their early morning beach clean-up in the quiet seaside village of Martin’s Bay in the parish of St. John. The ‘Progressives’, as they like to be called, seized the opportunity of the Barbados national holiday ‘Hero’s Day’ to do their part to assist in the effort to clear the beaches on the east coast of the island of the masses of sargassum seaweed that had begun to wash up on the shores again. The large quantities of that has continued to wash-up on the beaches over the past few weeks has overwhelmed the National Conservation Commission (NCC), which is usually responsible for keeping the nation’s beaches clean, and the agency has been welcoming as-
sistance from private organisations in their efforts. “We were happy to join this national effort,” said President of the Progressive Optimist Club, Carmel Haynes. “Martin’s Bay is an idyllic little cove treasured by locals and tourists alike and it was a shame to see the beach covered in the rotting seaweed that was leaving a nasty smell and attracting hordes of flies. Helping to get rid of that problem was a tiring but rewarding exercise,” she said with satisfaction. Eighteen volunteers, including members of the club, their friends and family, and three other Optimists from outside the club including Zone 12 Lieutenant Governor Joann Jordan, spent five hours tirelessly raking the beach and bagging the seaweed for disposal. When they were done, over 140 garbage bags of seaweed and other little were collected and placed in a mound for the NCC to cart away.
Optimist Club of
St. Thomas
Members of the St. Thomas Optimist club with the asst. matron of St. Thomas infirmary
Members of St. Thomas working with members from the Retreat Progressive Youth Club
Optimist Club of
Barbados Bridgetown
In February the children of the Sterling Home practiced their teamwork as they strived to prepare assigned supper dishes within the allotted time in order to be crowned ‘Top Chef Sterling’
The boys work together to “Protect an Egg� in a team building exercise guided by President Richard of Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown, President Kevin Haywood of Optimist Club of St. Lisi, St. Lucia and visiting facilitator Johan Rogers of LIME.
Optimists interacting with Children at the Belmont Reading Program which occurs every Saturday 9:30- 11:00am during the school semester.
T
wo years ago, to loud cheers from the pupils of Society Primary School, IP-IVP Adrian Elcock and IPP Kelly Hunte promised a play park for the school. Society Primary is located in the rural parish of St. John. It is actually the oldest primary school in Barbados and unfortunately has been a bit neglected. A very successful fundraising golf tournament provided all the needed funds and we were on our way. The school is situated on a cliff edge overlooking the picturesque east coast. This meant that we had to consider the impact of the salty sea breezes on the equipment. It was decided that we needed sturdy, durable pieces. After some research, pieces were selected that would contribute to the development of the children’s muscles, particularly their core muscles, their balance and coordination skills. Mr. Mervin Stevenson, a friendly engineer, designed the pieces for the club so that they could be manufactured locally and although it was a bit different for them, a local metal works company accepted the assignment. After a few delays the date was set, Saturday February 11, 2012, was installation day. It was an all-day event, 8am to 6pm and members worked in three shifts to complete the task. Under the leadership of committee chair Optimist Andrew Greene club members started to work .Priming, painting, drilling, hammering, lifting, digging, hauling, filling, spilling, raking, cooking, shouting, falling, drinking, screaming, spinning, laughing‌.Optimists were tired, a bit dirty but very pleased with the results of their hard work We were watched all day by a group of children from the school who live in the immediate neighbourhood. That we had to persuade them to let the paint dry before they used the play park was the greatest endorsement of our efforts. Well done Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown! Thank you for keeping the promise.
Optimist Club of
Ocho Rios BREAKFAST PROJECT IN FULL GEAR
T
he Optimist Club of Ocho Rios, Brand name: Serve the children, continues its breakfast project at the Parry Town Primary School in St. Ann. Any numbers between twenty and seventy five children are served a warm meal on school day mornings. This is a community service project and has been part of the club’s outreach for over ten years. Members realize the need for students to have satisfied stomachs in order for learning to take place (empty barrel caan tan up). Hence, they contribute willingly the eggs, sausage, bacon, frankfurters, sardines, corn beef, callalu, beans, bread, and cereals amongst other items to this effort. Past President Beverly works at the school and so coordinates the project on site. Photo shows President Donald as he prepares delicious fried dumplings, a favourite of the schoolers. A meal is almost ready to be served.