National Children's Day in Jamaica

Today Jamaica joins the more than 75 other countries around the world that have declared an official day in honour of children.  We know there is a United Nations declared Universal Children's Day on November 20; but many countries have found it necessary to have their own special days set aside to bring well needed focus and recognition to our children. 
As of today May 18, 2012 National Children's Day will be celebrated every third Friday in the month of May. We congratulate the National Child Month Committee and Governor General Sir Patrick Allen for their advocacy and official declaration respectively.
Now, let us continue to lift up our children and be the best wind beneath their wings helping them to soar to the many heights of their true potential. Our children are god's gift to remind us of our humanity. Let us love, care, guide and protect them as best we can.

Exciting Times for the OI-7804 Family

There is a lot unfolding in our clubs, zone and District.  Let us all support as much as we can and make "each one touch the lives of 30 children" real.
Submissions for Q3 Magazine must be made by Friday May 18.  The clubs in Zone 4 have a lot to show off and the magazine is another way to let evryone know the great work we are doing for and with the children. Send submissions to andreasam27@yahoo.com post haste!

It's BINGO! with OC Kingston Breakfast on Saturday May 19 starting at 7:00 p.m. at 27 Roswell Terrace, Kingston 8. Give President Camilla or ST Andrea a buzz (camillaritchie@gmail.com or andreasam27@yahoo.com).

Zone 4 Labour Day Project at Annotto Bay Hospital. Grab your work tool and come let's help to give the hospital grounds a well-needed facelift. Labour Day is Wednesday May 23.

Of course, the big fundraiser for the Zone is set for Friday, June 15 at 8:00 p.m. It's the University Singers in Concert at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, UWI Mona campus. Purchasing at least one ticket will guarantee you two things: an evening of excellent entertainment and support for the children of our country. Give LtG Patrick a nudge for tickets at prendergast.patrickw@gmail.com.
Another of the annual Relay for Life all night vigil for cancer care is set for June 9 and 10. The proceeds from this event helps the Cancer Society to continue their programs that help cancer victims e.g screening. Support this event; share in the fun, fellowship, and the touching Luminaria Ceremony.  For more information contact Cp Pat at 361-4548 or patmac246@yahoo.com
The Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - CCDHH is also scheduled for Saturday June 9 at the District Secretariat  361/2 Lyndhurst Road beginning at 9:00 am.  The topic is "How my Optimism helps me Overcome Obstacles".  

 

Wishing you all health, happiness and prosperity.

One one coco full basket - Harnessing the power of one

Barbadian Student Captures District Essay Contest

Seventeen year old Barbadian, Deshon Griffith is the  2012 winner of the Optimist International Caribbean District Essay Contest.  Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Bridgetown Barbados from Zone 12, Deshon is  the first entrant from Barbados to capture the top spot. He beat Arielle Brown (Optimist Club of Barbican Pines) and Grace-Ann Samuels (Optimist Club of Kensington) into second and third places respectively and in the process received a scholarship valued at US$2,500 from Optimist International, a cash award of US$200 from the Caribbean District, and a district plaque. In addition, the essay will be sent to the international level to be judged along with winners from other Optimist districts.  One international winner will be chosen and will receive an engraved plaque and recognition in The Optimist magazine. 

Writing on the topic: How my positive outlook benefits my community, the entrants representing 11 of the 13 zones in the District gave the judges a difficult task in choosing a winner given the excellence of the essays.  According to Chief Judge, Patricia Donald, "It was a keenly contested competition with one limitation; there could only be one winner".

Young Griffith, who missed the presentation ceremony held on May 5 at the District Secretariat in Kingston, Jamaica, due to CAPE examinations, expressed his own delight at winning the competition.  He also expressed gratitude to the Optimist movement for opening yet another window of opportunity to pursue a tertiary education. In his essay, Deshon treated the term community as an embrace of geographical location, school, church, and communities of interest. He cited his own challenges and how his positive  approach impacted others around him, highlighting his God-given singing talent asa blessing to the various communities of which he is a part.

Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people around the world. According to the Optimist International website, the essay contest is designed to "give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live" and is one of several platforms supported by the movement aimed at "bringing out the best in kids".  

There are 61 clubs and over 1700 Optimists spread across the Caribbean District. To learn more about the Caribbean District you may visit: http://www.facebook.com/OptimistInternationalCaribbeanDistrict 

or the Optimist International website at:  http://www.optimist.org/

More work to be done on behalf of our children

The members of the 7804 Optimist family who attended its Q3 Zone meeting on Sunday, May 6, 2012 is calling for greater collaborative effort at the zone and District levels in order to engage more Optimists as well as improve the chances of bringing well-needed publicity to the tremendous work being undertaken on behalf of the children.  

In their " From The Floor" feature, a sort of open-mic platform for members to speak their mind on burning concerns about Optimism, the members were sharp in recognizing the good work being done at the local club level but also critical about the need for translating the local success stories into wider knowledge among both the general membership of the Caribbean District and the public in general. The Zone is also calling for more systematic assessment and reporting on the impact of working with the children, especially at the broader District level.  The topic for discussion was: Optimism - Is it working for our children? 

Among the schools currently being engaged by the Zone 4 members are the Pembroke Hall Methodist and Arnold Road Basic Schools as well as the St Andrew Hostel for Girls, Mathew 25:40 in Kingston, and the Muirton Boys Home in Portland - all of which provide safe havens for marginalized children. The Zone is also developing a partnership with the Annotto Bay Hospital for which it will soon launch an Infratsructure Development Fund specifially to beneift the Pediatric Ward which is in dire need of expansion.

The meeting was held at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Patrick Prendergast and the watchful eyes of Governor Dwight Phillips and District Secretary-Treasurer Heather Chin-Walker who are both members of the zone.

June 15 is the Date

For tickets contact:
Lieutenant Governor Patrick
Tel: 1 876 833 8645
Email: prendergast.patrickw@gmail.com

Q3 Zone Meeting Sunday May 6

Q3 Zone Meeting
SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012 @ 2:30 PM

JAMAICA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
4 Winchester Avenue, Kingston 10

Registration begins at 2:00 p.m.
Contribution $300.00

Believe in yourself