Looking atActivities in the Brac
Ministerresponsible for Social Services, Dr. the Hon. Frank McField (seatedright) and MLAs the Hon. Julianna O'Connor-Connolly (seated centre)and Lyndon Martin, along with Brac staff; Acting Social Work SupervisorKerry Parchmon (standing right), Annie Rose Scott (second fromright) Kernita-Rose Bailey (standing left), and Marlene Bodden(seated Left).
A range of issues, concerns and plans wereon the agenda of the first official visit to Cayman Brac by theMinister responsible for Community Services, Women's Affairs,Youth and Sports, Dr. the Hon Frank McField.
During the one-day visit last week the Ministerwas accompanied by Women's Officer Estella Scott. His visit washosted by the island's MLAs, the Hon. Julianna O'Connolly-Connorand Mr. Lyndon Martin.
The schedule included meeting with DistrictCommissioner Kenny Ryan and Deputy District Commissioner ErnieScott, opening and attending the first of this month's Human RightsWorkshops, and visits to the District Administration Offices.The officials also visited Brac residents' homes and pre-schoolsduring a tour of the island.
Opening the human resources workshop, Dr.McField commented that the question is often asked why human rightsare so important in such a small community. In answer to this,he said, " We are now moving from the personal and familiarway of life, to the fulfillment of formal and defined human rightsobligations. Because of the way the world is developing, and ourrelationship with the UK, it is necessary for us to have a goodunderstanding of our obligations. "
Cayman Brac has some 1,600 residents, ofwhich about 500 are youth. It was noted that population movement,even within the island, causes significant effect and demandsinfrastructure and facilities such as schools.
The Minister's tour encompassed parks andresource buildings which could possibly be converted into youthand community centers. Meeting with Brac Sports Co-ordinator RicardoSealey, the officials discussed current and future activities.
Basketball, netball and football are currentlythe most popular sports, but facilities, support and funding arerecognized as lacking. Because of the limited population, thegames are seasonal and usually the same participants play in therespective sports. Organized sporting events are usually sponsoredby larger companies or by the parents of participants.
The balance between community and inter-islandrecreational sports and national competition sports was reviewedduring the visit. Some Brac successes at the competitive levelhave included having a young woman, Miss Anjuli Bradshaw qualifyand attend the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games in theBahamas last year, and another, Miss Lissanna Hurlstone on theCayman Islands Under-16 Netball Team attended the Caribbean U-16Championships in St. Vincent. Similarly, basketball player BradConnolly is an outstanding Under -17 player, and assists Mr. Sealeyin coaching.
Mrs. O'Connor-Connolly expressed the need to optimise physicalresources, as well as use sports as a positive tool of socialdevelopment and control. The Minister highlighted the importanceof sports as a means of integrating the many immigrant workerswithin the local population.
Dr. McField committed to the sharing ofnational coaches, especially to conduct training clinics for thevolunteer district coaches. Similarly, the Brac MLAs noted thatthe hosting of more games on that island would provide welcomedstimulus for the Brac economy and society.
Other key areas included the need for anotherphysical education/peripatetic teacher, the upcoming appointmentof youth development officers, the expeditious distribution ofyouth and sports funding to the Brac, and the enhancement of communicationsbetween two islands.
While touring the Brac Social Services officeand meeting staff, the group met with Acting Social Works SupervisorKerry Parchman and discussed the needs of the society. The recentdecision to focus substance abuse services towards young peopleon the island; the evaluation of existing services; and the referralof abusers to Caribbean Haven's residential programme on GrandCayman were notable topics. Emphasising that it is the responsibilityof all members of society to "maintain normalcy within theirlives," the Minister promised "intervention and curativepolicies where there is the desire for self-help, and availableresources. However, we don't want to create institutions as crutches.Instead, rehabilitation tools must be used to maintain socialcontrol." He added that, because drug abuse is largely apersonal choice, society needs to get back to the point whererehabilitation is a personal responsibility. "People canonly change by changing their environment, and this can only occurwith self-reliance and initiative," said the Minister.
On the challenges of coping with issuessuch as grief, misfortunes and mistakes in life, the officialsrealised the high social penalties and ostracising in a smallcommunity such as the Brac, which in turn leads to increased isolationand possible substance abuse. Ms Parchman said that group therapysessions on the island reveal that the need for the victim's expression,grieving, and general expressions of feelings are very important.