Members of the newly chartered EarlyAct Club of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary school surrounded by Rotary and education officials. Photo: VINO

President of the newly chartered EarlyAct Club of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School expressed that service was in her blood. Photo: VINO

Ag Principal of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School welcomed the initiative and promised to do everything to support the newly inducted members of the group. Photo: VINO

Vice President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Ms Geraldine Johnson said the chartering of an EarlyAct Club in her village was dear to her heart and she found it extremely gratifying as a result. She explained that the goal of the club was to provide students with an opportunity to gain increased awareness of knowledge of their community and the wider world through one of the Rotary Club’s youth arms. The Rotary Club of Road Town is the sponsor of the newly established EarlyAct Club.

The District Chair of EarlyAct, Mr Charles Benjamin, explained that EarlyAct is a school-wide service club for primary school students from ages 7-12 years. He added that the mission and operation of EarlyAct are closely linked to the ideals of Rotary and provide the foundation and natural succession into Interact.

Ms Beverly Brathwaite, Liaison Officer of the school, in representing the Ministry of Education expressed her gratitude to the Rotary Club for taking an interest in the schools of the Territory. She noted that the students would be given an opportunity to grow and develop their self-confidence and was particularly happy that the school accepted the challenge of being chartered in the EarlyAct Club.

Rotary 7020 District Governor, Vance Lewis, was present to install the President, Board and Members of the newly formed charter of EarlyAct Club.

The 14-member group, which is the third such club to be chartered in the Territory, is comprised of Leah Smith, Reina Winter, Tea Fonseca, Taylor Smith, K’Miqua Thomas, Ajahri Yearwood, Kaheem Malone, Zoran Penn, Gladia Yearwood, Bashira Davis, Abreana Penn, Lyla Fonseca, Shamoria Cozer and Jonthan Hing.

Advisors of the club are Ag Principal Mrs Sybil Hodge, Ms Monnette Smith, Mrs Norma Bruce, Mrs Shermiker Nibbs Samuels, Ms Iesha Forbes and Ms Jermaine Barry. Ms Hodge welcomed the initiative and promised that everything would be done to support the newly inducted members of the group.

Newly installed President of the Ebenezer Thomas EarlyAct Club, Ms Leah Smith, delivered an impressive and well-poised speech in giving her first remarks on behalf of the club. She related that service was in her blood since both her parents, Kevin ‘OJ’ Smith and Lisa Smith, had started at an early age in the Scouting programme and Girls Brigade respectively. She said, “I strongly believe that their example has helped me to see that it’s my turn to do my job in community service.”

There are approximately 234,000 Rotary Clubs in existence in some 196 countries worldwide and they are each encouraged to charter an EarlyAct Club. The first EarlyAct Club was formed in the Territory in January 2011 at the Enis Adams Primary School with 30 charter members while the EarlyAct Club of Isabella Morris was next to be chartered in June 2011.

During the ceremony chaired by District Secretary Charles Crane, attendees were treated to a few cultural presentations by students of the school.