Velma Chung author of 'A Garden of Memories' says that change is good but can be bad as well. Photo: limin-times.com

Copy of Ms. Chung’s Book that was released in March 2012 and consists of 37 poems. Photo: Provided

In relation to her recently released book of poems, where she talks about the past and how things were, in terms of how people lived, how close members of communities were and how strong the culture was, she said that things are not the same. 

She added that, now, the televisions are raising the kids and they are living on fast food. 

“If the youths today would go back to some of the traditions we had 30-40 years ago, the Virgin Islands would be a much better place.” 

According to Ms. Chung, her book is a collection of poems she wrote over the last 20 years. 

She stated that as much as change is important and is a factor for development, it doesn’t mean that everything should change. 

In light of her book embracing the past, showing the youths how life was and reminding the older ones of the golden days, she said, that her books would be distributed in her community’s primary schools to further educate the kids on VI culture. 

Hon. Andrew Fahie, First District Representative, told this news site that this school year 2012/2013, a copy of Ms. Chung’s book will be given to each student, teacher and principal of the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay, then the same will be done at the Leonora Delville Primary School. 

He said “in the First District, especially in Carrot Bay, Ms. Chung has and continues to be one of our best play writers, story tellers, poet and an instrumental role model for the young people of the area for many, many years. In her books she has inked the history of Carrot Bay; our youths will be able to read and appreciate the shoulder they stand on now in that area of the island. I encourage this course of action for each village. As Virgin islanders we have a rich and interesting heritage that can only be passed on to present and future generations in the manner Ms. Velma Chung has done. If you don’t know where you came from, then you wouldn’t know and appreciate where you are going. Our past contributes to our present and our present dictates our future.” 

Hon. Fahie added that there will always be change in the world but as long as improvements are made without losing values or principles, it is ok. 

As an example he stated “music was played/ recorded in different forms. We use to use record players, cassettes, eight tracks, etc. Today we use CDs, iPods, iTunes, etc to hear recorded music of the present & the past. The only thing changed was the medium we listen to music from but the concept of music remains the same. We can listen to Bob Marley's songs from modern means because all the old means have faded out but his music remains the same. So change is good but once we make change with the principles not being compromised.”