C&W Helps Children inthe Community
CorporateSponsorship: Cable & Wireless' Head of Customer Services,Mr. Philip Hislop, presents a cheque of $6,000 to Magistrate MargaretRamsay-Hale, Chairman of the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Association.Executive Sales Clerk at Cable & Wireless and volunteer ofBBBS, Mrs. Heather MacVicar, (left) and Executive Director ofBBBS, Ms. Jennifer West, looks on.
The children are the future leaders of thiscountry and Cable & Wireless is doing its part to help thembecome successful.
The telecommunications provider has donated$6,000 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) programme. Fundshave been earmarked to cover costs of training and developmentof staff and for background checks.
BBBS, a non-profit organisation, needs morevolunteers as there are currently 10 children waiting to be matchedto an adult.
All interested adults are urged to contactBBBS and sign up to become a member.
Executive Director of BBBS, Ms. JenniferWest said: "Of the 10 children on our waiting list, sevenof them are boys. We urge a 'few good men' to get involved andbe mentors. It only takes a few hours a week. You are not requiredto go out of your way, just involve them in the things you alreadydo."
She explained that when an adult applieshis/her details are recorded on file such as general interest,geographic location, needs/requirements. A child in the programmeis matched with an adult of similar profile for one month on a'grace period'. If they work together well, and both parties inthe match agree to stay together, they are then 'joined' for afurther 11 months.
A long-time member of BBBS, Mr. AnthonyRitch, Networks Operations Manager at Cable & Wireless, saidhe has enjoyed being involved in the programme. Back in the early1990s BBBS was under the auspices of the National Council of VoluntaryOrganisation (NCVO), he added. Later he joined the Lions Cluband that club officially 'adopted' the programme.
"I find that the programme is extremelyrewarding because it focuses on spending quality time with anindividual, and through participation and sharing in basic activities,simple lessons about life can be reinforced by acting as a mentor,and a role model with emphasis on values, virtues, morals, culture,discipline and success. Through simple interaction we can helpto shape and develop what should become a very positive, productiveand successful young person in our society."
Mr. Ritch pointed out that this might seemtoo idealistic, but adds: "This is our hope. Our view isthat we can each make a big difference, one child at a time. Oneof the biggest rewards is when a little brother or sister hasgrown up and there is a permanent bond, which had been establishedover the years. I've seen cases where these relationships continuebeyond the lifespan of the match and result in a lasting relationshipof mutual respect and admiration."
Other Cable & Wireless Big Brothersare Darrell Rankine and Ercley Bodden.
Magistrate Margaret Ramsay-Hale, Chairmanof the BBBS Association, said: "Mentoring is the most effectiveway to intervening in the life of a child at risk. We salute Cable& Wireless for recognising the importance of the work of BigBrothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands and of all our volunteersand for giving so generously to our cause. On behalf of the Boardand our 'Bigs' and 'Littles' I thank you very much."
Executive Sales Clerk at Cable & Wireless,Mrs. Heather MacVicar, is one of the newest volunteers of theprogrammes. When funds were requested from Cable & Wireless,the company sought volunteers from its staff and Heather was quickto respond. "I am delighted to join Big Brothers Big Sisters.This provides me the opportunity to love, nurture and care fora young child within the community. Finding time to nurture ayoung mind can only mean making the Cayman Islands a better placefor all of us."
Head of Customer Services, Mr. Philip Hislop,said: "We at Cable & Wireless are always pleased to contributetowards the many worthy projects within our community. I am especiallypleased that Cable & Wireless, through its staff, is alsoable to offer volunteers to this programme. We believe that theBig Brothers Big Sisters programme has proven beneficial to ourcountry over the years and will continue to support it."