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by pltm
(PLTM) - The need for change in attitude and thinking was stressed at the Emancipation Service that was held at the Sunday Morning Well on August 5.
Senior Pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, Rev. Melvin Turnbull made the first call as he reflected on the devastation the Territory experienced in 2017, and remarked that both the storms and the hurricanes present opportunities for reflection and change.
He told the gathering, “Even if I lose everything, as long as I have my faith I can rebuild, I can revive, and I can rise. I will rise…thank God we don’t look like what we have been through.”
On the other hand, Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering opined that the caring spirit that was felt in the community following the hurricanes have gone, and that people have reverted to their selfish ways.
“For a short while after the hurricane it came alive only for a short season – that we used to be our brother’s keeper. We used to reach out to each other, we used to help each other, we could depend on our neighbours,” Hon. Pickering noted.
The Acting Premier said he sees a total change in attitude from “where we were.” In fact, Hon. Pickering said, “We seem to have forgotten and it makes me wonder how can we get serious about emancipation.”
Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron Walwyn also reflected on the disasters of 2017 and the fact that the BVI is still in recovery mode. He also mentioned that there was consideration to cancel aspects of the annual festivities. However, the Minister noted that it was imperative that the celebration was held.
“It was important that we didn’t cancel this year’s festivities…The history of emancipation is also one of strength and overcoming adversity. We had a difficult time last year, but it doesn’t mean that we are going to roll over and play dead. We must get up and do things differently, we must do things better,” the Minister said.
Hon. Walwyn also stated that he was pleased with the manner festival was organized this year, despite the fact that it was shortened and the budget was slashed.
“We have made a major effort this year to ensure that the cultur, and the heritage is infused in the celebration. We didn’t have much money, but that is a blessing; because if you don’t have money then you get creative. And we have a chance to do things as the way they should be,” he added.
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