Organizers of the Hope Concert held last Sunday say that they were able to achieve all that they set out to do.{{more}}

Fidel Taylor, chair of the “Hope for the Nation” Committee, told SEARCHLIGHT that he is particularly pleased.

He said that they were able to raise EC$10,491 and collect 12 barrels of food supplies during the event which was staged at the Victoria Park.

“We just facilitated the process, but we will not be getting involved in the distribution,” Taylor said.

He said the money has already been deposited into the special account set up by the relevant authorities.

“So, I think we have achieved our objectives,” he said.

According to Taylor, he was particularly pleased that a number of religious communities came together to take part in the event.

There was representation from religious groups, including the Seventh Day Adventists, the Spiritual Baptist Church, the Evangelical Association and the Christian Council.

The committee’s chair said that they were able to have representation from the Government and the Opposition, although they tried to get Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, but Eustace indicated that he could not make it.

“We are totally satisfied with the achievement, despite the short time we had to plan,” he said.

Taylor explained that the event was all about giving hope to the nation.

“It was more than just for the victims of the flood, because the entire nation was affected.

“A lot of people were traumatized and it was really about giving hope to the nation that all is not lost and that there is hope and that as long as there is a God and we trust Him, He will provide – He will take care,” Taylor said.

For the way forward, the chair of the Hope committee said that a number of people were calling and advising that they stick together, because the worst was not yet over and there is still a lot of work to do.

The group has therefore been brainstorming to come up with possible ideas about what to do.

Some of the suggestions coming forward, according to Taylor, include visiting the various communities and staging events similar to that held at the Victoria Park on Sunday.

He said that one other possibility was the assembling of a skills bank, comprising contractors and tradesmen from the various religious communities.

These teams will then go out and assist in the reconstruction or construction of homes – once the materials were supplied, they would be willing to assist in this way, he said.

“These are some of the things we are thinking and praying about,” Taylor said.(DD)