Happy 44th Anniversary RCA

The Rotary Club of Antigua received its Charter in September 10, 1972. The Club was sponsored by Rotary Club of St Kitts; and Rtn. Fred Lam, Past District Governor (92/93), now deceased, was personally very instrumental in providing counsel. The late Alvin Apparicio was Charter President of the Club and the first Club secretary was Dr. Norman Athill.

Due to health and other reasons, Charter President Dr. Norman Athill completed the first year with  Rtn. Lionel Walling as Secretary.

 

The Club Register of 1972/73 indicated a membership of twenty seven (27) persons, two of whom are still members of the Club. They are Rtn. Lionel Walling and PP Paddy Benjamin, now Honourary Rotarians.

Throughout it’s 44 years of existence, the Club has been very active answering many calls to all essential needs of the community.

 

In health, the Club provided physical improvements to the Gweneth O’Reilly Ward at Holberton Hospital; Provided medical assistance to many nationals through North Miami Shores Club; Participated in Gift of Life and Gift of Sight Programmes in cooperation with sister clubs in Districts 7250 & 7260 (NY), where 7 infants and young adults have undergone successful heart surgery; Provided vaccinations from “Of All Children Programme” through the Polio Plus Project of Rotary International.

Supply Medical equipment to medical and

Dental clinics: And more recently, installed an Ultra Sound Machine at the Mt. St. John Medical Center.

The Diabetic Foot-care Program in 2011 produced 12 nurses and 12 doctors who were trained by Doctors from the International Diabetes Federation, sponsored by the Club, on how to treat the foot to avoid amputation.  The advance course was conducted a year later in 2012.

 

 

In Sports and Education, the Club established several practice cricket pitches across Antigua and Barbuda.  The Club also provided reading clinics, masonry training, material and monetary contribution for technical vocational training center. 

An Anger Management Project was launched in all Secondary Schools on island whereas 7,000 handbooks were distributed to students.  These students also participated in a forum on Anger Management.  This is one of the ways we as Rotarians try to bring peace to the World.  We have also distributed 15000 dictionaries to all grade 3 students in Antigua and Barbuda.

Street Safety signs and Rotary Meeting Notice signs have also been positioned around Antigua, giving Rotary greater presence on the island.

The Club’s Computer for the World Project involves setting up of computer labs and computers to both private and government secondary schools across the island.  More recently, the Club constructed a Library and Computer Lab at the Pigotts Primary school fully furnished with computers, desks, tables and chairs.   To date 1500 computers have been distributed.

The Club provided sewing machines and materials for its ongoing sewing classes in the villages of New Winthorpes, Freetown, Pigotts and Liberta and the Grays Green Community.  In February 2017 another sewing class will be established in Jennings Village.

 

The Club supports our Sister Club in their Recycling project and look forward to establishing projects in the future.

 

In our past 44 years we provided two District Governors, Gerald Thomas and Malcolm Edwards and have pinned over 40 Paul Harris Fellows.  This is a significant contribution to the Rotary Foundation of US$1000 per person.  Our current Assistant District Governor is Corina Sealy and current President is Evangeline Allen.  Our membership today is 49 members and we are looking to grow our membership to at least 50 members. 

 

One project worthy of mention was the adoption of the Boys Training School, a school for delinquent boys.  When the school was relocated to Comfort Hall some years ago, the Club undertook to physically strip down beds and repainted them. 

The Club continued to support the school for several years and donated sporting equipment, agricultural equipment as well as a refrigerator and a stove.  A fishing boat with motor was also donated to the school.

 

For over 20 years the Club has had its monthly ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, feeding 100 persons monthly.  This program is geared towards our elderly who have no financial means. 

Our Annual Christmas Parties for 500 school children in Antigua and Barbuda.

 

After the Club’s first decade we were elected to host our first District Conference in Antigua; this was for  the then called District 405.  We went on to host the 11th Conference after our second decade.

 

With regards to fund raisers, one major fund raiser was the Golf Tournament which was successfully held over the years.

 

Presently, our major fund raiser is the Rotary Colours Fete, held the week prior to the opening of Antigua’s Carnival.  This has become a major event on our Rotary Calendar and is also featured on the fetes lineup for Antigua Carnival.  This year, signals the 9th year, executed under the theme: ‘Colours in Africa’.  Special thanks must be given to all Rotarians for the execution of this mammoth project.  An extra special thanks to the past Chairmen-Arthur Thomas, Ato Kentish, Sharon Cordner and Lorraine Josiah.

This year the Club's focus is Literacy.  

12 Students from three Government Primary Schools were presented with back to school supplies to include back packs as well.

 

Every month for the school year 2016-2017, the Club will recognize the top Student of the Month in Grades 1, 2 and 3 from Golden Grove Primary, Green Bay Primary and Five Islands Primary Schools.  The student will be receive a 'Student of the Month Award' Certificate, a Junior Savings Bank Account compliments Antigua Commercial Bank and the Club along with School supplies.  This program is to encourage the students to excel academically, strive for excellence and just to be exceptional in his/her undertakings both inside and outside of the classroom.  

 

There will be a Book-in-a-Bag Competition.  For this, students will be given a selection of books within a designated timeframe.   The reading will be set out in categories of attainment in terms of number of books read the responses given.  A set criteria will be established for attaining Gold, Silver and Bronze according to the number of books read.  A reading log will be kept.  There will be response cards whereby the students can write a poem about the main character in the book read or make a diorama of the story.  There will also be an oral component where students will be interviewed at the end of the designated period about the books read.

 

There will also be a Book Reading Competition for Grades 4 and 5 of the 3 Primary Schools.

 

Recognizing the importance of choosing the right career, the Club will seek to engage the services of Choices whereby we will offer 100 students the Career Key.  This is a simple self-assessment test that will help them to find the right career path, and an essential tool to help the student identify his /her interests, skills, values, aptitudes and personality.

 

The Club will also seek to equip an Early Childhood Center with operating apparatus.

 

The Rotary Club of Antigua thanks the general public and the many Corporate Sponsors and Donors for their support of its fund raisers.

 

The Rotary Club of Antigua looks forward to many years ahead serving our community and the full support of its members for years to come.

 

This year our theme is: ‘Rotary Serving Humanity’

 

Our Motto is:  ‘Service Above Self’