Sr. Nyra Anne: Good things happen to those who wait!

by Audwin Andrews Tue, Sept 13. 2011

After 43 years of wear and tear, the buildings of the St. Benedict’s Day Nursery and Orphanage have been reconstructed and modernized.{{more}}

But there is still need for more work to be done, before the project can be considered completed, and this calls for added finance.

On Friday, September 9, some of those financial burdens were eased following contributions from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Greater Vancouver, the Rotary Club of St. Vincent and the Rotary Club of Steveston, British Columbia.

During a short handing over ceremony, which was held at the institution’s new site, Sister Nyra Anne Pajott described the occasion as one of thanksgiving.

“I wish to mention that our connection with the Club began in November 2010, following the passage of Hurricane Thomas, when I was contacted by President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Greater Vancouver Mrs. Donnis Vanloo. She informed me that her association, together with the Rotary Club of Steveston, British Columbia, had planned a fund-raiser to assist St. Benedict’s especially now with our rebuilding project.

“She wasted no time in getting further information about our institution and making contact with the Rotary Club of St. Vincent. It took some time in making connection with the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, but here we are; good things happen to those who wait,” an overjoyed Sr. Nyra Anne declared.

Also on hand for the handing over were Vanloo, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Greater Vancouver, along with International Committee Director for the Rotary Club of Steveston, British Columbia, Wilbur Walrond and Ken Da Silva, the International Committee Director of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent.

Da Silva, who is also the Managing Director of Mountain Top Springs, said that his involvement in the project was one of coincidence.

“Some years ago, we got involved with this institution and this was through Mountain Top Springs, where we did a promotion on our product range and we donated a percentage of our sales, before the institution began construction. We managed to raise an estimated EC$15,000.

“However, it was brought to my attention in the Rotary Club, of which I am International Committee Director, that some persons from Vancouver wanted to make a donation as well,” he explained.

Da Silva, on behalf of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, presented a cheque valued XCD $1,000, while Walrond’s cheque was CAD$2,000 and Vanloo’s, CAD $3,500.

Both Walrond and Vanloo said they were pleased to be able to assist with the St. Benedict’s project.

“I am really impressed with what you are doing here, because it falls in line with the philosophy of Rotary,” said Waldron, who flew in for the day from Trinidad, where he is residing, just to make the presentation.

The visiting delegation was also given a tour of the new facility, which is located at Georgetown.

Construction of the new complex for the St. Benedict’s Day Nursery and Orphanage began in 2009 and comprises two new buildings. These buildings will house children of poor families, along with the Day Nursery, which for many years has provided day care services for approximately 100 children per year, aged 3 months to 4 years.

At present the institution is home to 6 children and upon completion of the new complex, the institution will have the capacity to house 15.