Charlestown-Nevis-World international Red Crescent day was celebrated this year, under the theme: ‘Everywhere for everyone.’
In Nevis, the Nevis chapter of the St.Kitts-Nevis Red Cross Society, held an impressive ceremony at the Red Cross headquarters, which saw the honouring of one volunteer and certificates being presented to several deserving individuals, who had successfully completed recent courses, coordinated by the local Red Cross Chapter.
Prayer was offered by Miss Gwenneth LADY G Browne and Director of the Nevis chapter, Mrs. Roxanne Brookes, delivered opening remarks, during which she emphasized the dangers faced by Red Cross volunteers across the world, as they made efforts to alleviate hunger; minimize disease spread and aid persons in desperate situations.
She pointed out that despite the obvious dangers faced, there are over 130 million Red Cross volunteers in the world, including over 150 such individuals in the federation of St.Kitts and Nevis, who are prepared and ready to deal with emergencies and disasters.
She indicated that recruitment and retention of volunteers is key.
Two youth volunteers then expounded on the international principles of the work done by the Red Cross volunteers.
The featured speaker was Mr. Mackie France, Sports Director at the prestigious Four Seasons Resort.
He put everyone immediately in stitches when he stated: “I have always believed that a great speech should be like a mini skirt. It should be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to discover the object.”
He noted the Red Cross as an organization, reaches over 150 million people in over 190 national countries.
He expounded on the seven fundamental principles by which the work of the Red Cross is guided: Humanity; impartiality; neutrality; independence; voluntary service; unity and universality.
He also expounded on the theme of the day: ‘everywhere for everyone.’
Long serving St.Kitts –Nevis Red Cross volunteer for ‘many moons,’ Miss Joycelyn Henniss, was honoured for her service of collecting and distributing clothing. She has been responsible for this service to the general public, since its inception.
President of the St.Kitts-Nevis Red Cross society, Mr. Spencer Hanley, also made brief remarks.
He elaborated on some of the training and other services that the Red Cross society provides locally and otherwise.
The second segment of the afternoon’s event was the presentation of certificates to participants in two training projects coordinated by the Red Cross society:
One was a workshop which focused on Vector control, in direct response to the Zika threat. Three persons from St.Kitts and three from Nevis, successfully undertook the intense course.
Those from Nevis are: Curdis Clarke-phsycho-social support; Javier Ottley-Vector control and sanitation and Roxanne Brookes-vector control epidemiology officer
On their return to Nevis, the three trained personnel, then undertook a training program during which 23 volunteers were trained in dealing with outbreaks of mosquito borne diseases.
Those persons then received their certificates from Ms. Pearl Bartlette and Mr. Spencer Hanley.
Participants who successfully completed the certification of instructors course, were presented with certificates, by Gwenneth Browne and Spencer Hanley: Roxanne Brookes; Joya Walters; Gracelyn Hanley; Whitney Glasford; Kevonie Pemberton and Isaac Jiminez, who is incidentally of Spanish origin.
Secretary for the Nevis Branch Red Cross, Pearl Bartlette delivered the vote of thanks.