LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The frustration of not being able to contact our loved ones can hardly be described

Wednesday, December 1, 2004

Dear Sir,

I was in the far north of Sweden when the disastrous news from CNN blasted into the room... Grand Cayman had got a “terrible pounding....” 

I guess, like many other Caymanians abroad who had most of their relatives and friends in Cayman, that chilling feeling of numbness from the shock of hearing the news and the further frustration of not being able to contact our loved ones can hardly be described, yet so much worse it was for you all that weathered through those horrible hours of such a hurricane that it is impossible for anyone not being there to even imagine what it was like.

Then again it was such a pity that many of us who tried to offer our services were misinformed, as we must have been, by hearing everything was under control and as far as we understood there was more or less not too much we could do at the time. I guess everyone was too much in a shock to realize the enormity of the work that had to be done in order to get Cayman back on track again. If any nation can do it Cayman can! For those of you with whom I have spoken, I am glad to say that it seems your spirits are still held high and that is the beginning of all possibilities.

On this note, I would like to see the establishment of The Cayman Islands National Rebuilding Fund. To this end I will now circulate this information through the press, if I may, since it seems a good opportunity for the many friends in this country to contribute, as I am most certain they will most willingly give according to their means.

At this point I would like to address the authorities and/or management in charge of the Fund and hope that you, ladies and/or gentlemen, will kindly state your agreement, preferably in a letter of consent, to this proposal. If there is any cause of reservations or any other innovations more suitable, I will be most willing to do whatever I can.

Secondly, I believe that, like myself, all donors are more than anxious to see Cayman back to where it was and we do admire those who are struggling desperately in spite of the fact that their many years of toil and effort are washed away. We are all aware of the fact that it is largely due to the great endeavour and hard work of our “Caymanians”, one and all who have brought those islands up to the standard it was, and that which made it possible for visitors of all nations to be attracted to the islands to such an extent that it has become the second home to many. 

This, of course, has formed the basis for a stable economy which in turn has made it possible for high level of educational achievements, health standards, justice and legal access, commercial, trade and business ventures and last but not least-the utilisation of our natural and labour resources that we have seen over all.

It is therefore our hope that this Fund together with other public donations will be used largely to reestablishing the living conditions and the work places that provide a means of income for the large majority of families but most of all, I hope it will benefit the children of Cayman, providing them the necessary opportunities for a stable future.

My very best wishes and a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Margaret Leonie Hesla

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