During the height of the COVID pandemic, Ashlea Smith and many other Caymanians living overseas relied on the support of Cayman Connection, a UK-based not-for-profit organisation.
Today, almost three years later, Smith is now executive director at the organisation connecting Caymanians, students, residents and families.
“It’s a very exciting role. I joined officially in December 2022 (she started as a volunteer in 2020). As a proud Caymanian myself, it’s such a privilege to be able to take on this role and… help connect Caymanians overseas and being able to be that support network,” Smith said in an interview with the Cayman Compass during a recent visit to Cayman.
Keeping Caymankind going
Smith said she believes there is so much potential for the organisation not just as a network for the Caymanian community overseas, but also for “those who have a bit of Cayman in their hearts”.
Though based in the UK, Smith said, the organisation also has members in the US and Canada.
“But we’re not exclusive to those areas. We have members all over the world and we are here to really be that support mechanism for those people who’ve moved overseas,” she said.
She added that the people who are now overseas could include students, professionals who may have pivoted in their careers, or a family who have relocated.
Smith said she is committed to providing support to those among the organisation’s 2,000 members who need help, and works closely with the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK.
“We’ve spent a lot of time redeveloping relationships with those people who are overseas, understanding what their needs are, and just making them feel like they have a home from home.. [W]hen you move away from such a small place and you go into maybe a bit of a bigger pond, we know that it’s imperative to have that link and that network overseas,” she said.
COVID prompted need for closer ties
Smith said the pandemic demonstrated the importance of having that overseas network for Caymanians.
“During the pandemic, we know there was a time of raw isolation for a lot of people. That was actually when, myself personally, I became a member of Cayman Connection. This was a time of real self-discovery. People were also trying to find new networks and ways to connect in maybe a way that they haven’t done before,” she said.
The pandemic, she said, prompted people to go out of their current networks to reach new people which helped to spread the Caymankind connection.
She said that was a time where not only were links created with people who may have been new to Cayman Connection, but also it was an opportunity to really support members such as students who had just moved overseas to study, and then the pandemic hit.
“Nobody could predict it. They’re isolated and therefore they need that support. They need that helping hand to know we are here for you, no matter where it is that you are in the world,” she said.
Smith said hosting events like virtual yard meetings and offering online services had a positive impact on those living overseas, providing opportunities for people to talk and reminisce.
She said local organisations like the Alex Panton Foundation also provided avenues for experts to join the online meetings to make sure that everyone had that support.
Additionally, she said, the inclusion performances by local artistes helped ease tension for those locked down and unable to get home at that time.
“We can’t be everything to everybody, but we try to do our best in relation to being able to in infuse that culture and heritage… We want to be able to support those who are in the arts industry,” she said.
Smith said focus has turned to the Cayman Connection Making Waves Awards which she said were about championing Caymanians who are overseas doing great things in fields including arts and culture, sports and education.
“We’ve just recently added a new award this year, which is our Inclusion Award, which we are super excited about… really being able to champion those who do some really positive things in their quality, diversity, and inclusion space. So we really want to… make sure that these people are… showcased with all the good work they’re doing out of the goodness of their hearts,” she said.
Nominations are now open for the awards.
Caymanians living overseas for a minimum of 12 months through 31 May 2023 as well as full-time students living overseas are eligible for the awards.
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