Special award goes to prison volunteer

Jonathan Nicholson handed over the award to April
Bending as incoming President Ray Whittaker looked
on

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman’s outgoing President recently presented the annual Vocational Award to April Bending, the coordinator of “From Within” at the National Gallery.

Asked to volunteer as an English teacher at the prison, Miss April saw that there were no classes in any of the arts.

She believed it was crucial to rehabilitate inmates by giving them the opportunity to express themselves artistically.

In the spring of 2002, April began fund raising to procure materials, and the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman was first in line with its support.

After both Work of Art and Hampstead’s gave generous discounts, April, with a Degree in Fine Arts and 30 years of professional experience behind her, donated her time to conduct painting classes at the prison once a week.

Both staff and inmates alike have commented on the calming effect of these classes.

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