Well done, ROBDA. Keep going!

Fri, Jun 8. 2012

Editor: On June 1, the Rose Bank Development Association (ROBDA) celebrated a very important milestone in its existence, some twenty-five years. The celebration would run over a period of one month, with various activities.{{more}}

Despite the many challenges faced as a community group, it has survived. One of the remarkable activities of its operation is visiting the churches of its members monthly. No doubt the prayers made on its behalf as they visited the churches went a long way. Amongst the various programmes for its month of celebration has been the visitation to the elderly and shut-ins in the community where prayers are made on their behalf by members of ROBDA who are Christians, thus fulfilling part of their Christian mandate. Also, by the time this article is published, the group would have had its second activity and that is a health talk by the resident doctor in the area.

On Sunday 10, there would be a visit to the Prayer and Faith Assembly Church at Rose Bank, both as a continuation of its church visits to members’ churches and mainly as part of its celebration activity. Other activities would include: panel discussions, AGM, community clean-up, free legal consultation by a team of lawyers headed by Carlos James, just to name a few.

Coming this far was not easy and members of the group can be justly proud of its achievement and success. In its effort to be self sufficient and create employment, they were ‘sabotaged’ many times. They had embarked on a sea moss project which would create employment and also make the group self sufficient. Unfortunately, after some three years of doing the research and preparation and background work, they lost the project through the back door by politicians. Everything had been done, only to get the legal status; when the final draft was done and submitted, the project was taken and given to an individual. This evil shall long be remembered.

There were other similar projects that were ‘sabotaged,’ which will be written about at a later date. However, it is noteworthy to mention that the last major project done by ROBDA and completed had encountered strong opposition with the intention by those who strongly opposed it to see that it did not come to completion. However, God was on their side and the project was completed. The project was the boat building and making of folding chairs. Sincere thanks must be expressed to those who sponsored this project and ensured that it was completed.

In the area of sports, ROBDA was involved in many sporting activities, namely cricket and netball just to name a few. In the area of health, they were involved and continue to be involved in cleaning the beaches and community centre yard. Also, they had garbage bins placed in strategic areas. The Best Kept Yard competition offered the residents the opportunity to be rewarded for their part in keeping clean surroundings. It also made the residents conscious of health and beautifying the surroundings.

As they move forward, several plans are in place, such as the continuation of the beautification of ROSE BANK. If one travels through Rose Bank, some palm trees can be seen that were planted by ROBDA. The group plans to continue its community clean up and resurrecting the soft ball village competition. Continuation of the Rose Bank festival will be an important activity, as it would seek to display dishes from the community. Also there would cultural activities which will appear in a later article.

As ROBDA celebrates, let us remember them in our prayers and let us give them our support in whatever way possible. Well done, ROBDA. Keep going.

Kennard King