Optimists connecting in St Lucia

I had such an inspirational evening with the Optimist Club de Sainte Lisi on Thursday (March 21). What made it so special? Three easy responses:

1.  Diane Leonce and Dariah Robinson-Ernest of the near two year-old Cerebral Palsy Association of St Lucia (CPA) shared their mission to support people directly or indirectly affected by cerebral palsy (CP) and specifically to build awareness about CP; assist parents in learning skills and techniques for handling children with cerebral palsy; and mobilizing the technical, human and professional resources and support needed to improve the lives of those living with the condition.  This is an association worth supporting and I was just so captivated by these ladies’ passion and desire to make a difference. Visit their website at cpastlucia.org and learn more about CP, the CPA St Lucia, and how you can help to build a better tomorrow by helping these young people rise above physical challenges.

2. Victor Price and Believe in Volunteering helping young people and adults to have a greater appreciation for giving back as a way of building character. The “One man can make a difference” reminds me so much of Governor Lynden’s Starfish mantra.  

3.  President Keitha Glace and a dynamic band of Optimists building valuable networks as a way of strengthening the service we must give to our children.  There is so much passion and potential here for greater things to come. I am excited by their spirit of comradeship, readiness to embrace new and emerging trends, and willingness to explore creative pathways to improving the life of their club so they can better serve the children of St Lucia.  The group is involved in several activities and has just recently completed its oratorical contest. OC Ste Lisi is looking forward to their winner moving forward and is therefore seeking support to get their Oratorical entrant to the District finals in Jamaica.  Of course, the 24^th of February 2013 marked their seventh anniversary. Congratulations guys and I too look forward to hearing more about the great in-roads you make on behalf of the St Lucian children. Thanks GE Nutilia and the OC St Johns, Antigua for bringing this club to life.

Respect President Keitha, LtG Kevin and the entire Ste Lisi team for braving the heavy rains and making the evening such a positive and warm one for me. Of course, to my friend Jacqueline Massiah-Simeon, thanks for making it! Keep up the work guys!