The Cayman Islands Red Cross’ focus was on education during its 51st anniversary celebration on Tuesday, 8 May.
At the George Town Public Library last Thursday, a special display “This is the CIRC” was opened in honour of Red Cross Month to give the public a first-hand look at work the Red Cross carries out in the Cayman Islands, while highlighting future plans and objectives.
After a brief ceremony attended by Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Education Minister Rolston Anglin and the public, Red Cross staff and volunteers familiarised people with the role of the Red Cross in the community and highlighted the display of various programmes such as disaster management, first aid, HIV/AIDS awareness and the thrift shop.
Also shown at the event was a short film of Swiss businessman Henry Dunant, the man whose recorded memories of an aftermath inspired the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross is one of the largest volunteer services on island, with 150 active volunteers participating since being established by Ethel Cook- Bodden in 1961.
“This month the focus is on education and the schools. We will be setting up a number of field trips to encourage volunteer services and who better to start with than with the children,” Ms Obi said.
Mr. Anglin agreed with Ms Obi that it was a wonderful opportunity to start with the young people and thanked the volunteers for being a key component in society.
The minister was excited about the work in the area of HIV/AIDS and the education of the disease in the communities. He said that this year at least 50 children will be born to teen mothers in the Cayman Islands making them a high risk category in this area.
The minister also acknowledged the important role the Red Cross played in the community after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. For him, he said it certainly cemented and etched permanently in his memory the value of the organisation.
Andrew McLaughlin, Red Cross chairman of the board of directors, highlighted challenges, work carried out on the building, programmes and the running of the society. This year, he said they were looking to concentrate partnership with larger organisations not just financially, but by providing training, updating Red Cross communications system and selling corporate packages in the upcoming dinner and golf event.
The 51st anniversary Gala Dinner/Dance event will be held Saturday, June 9 at the Westin Casaurina. Cocktails at 6.30pm, followed by dinner at 7. Individual tickets are $175. Per person corporate tables are also available.
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