DREAM BIG Remarks Delivered by Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Vieux-Fort South Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony at the Launch of the Jermaine Defoe Foundation Wednesday, 12 June 2013 SALUTATIONS……. AN EXCEPTIONAL HONOUR I have the honour, as I do on some occasions, to address a gathering as both Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative. Today is a special gathering for an extraordinary initiative involving some exceptional people. The display of love for country and commitment to community is flattering beyond what my remarks of appreciation and gratitude can ever express. A TIME OF HARDSHIP It is no secret that the world is facing a severe recession that has brought some countries, especially in Europe, to the verge of economic collapse. We can all recall the demonstrations and public outcries in Greece, Cyrus, Italy and Spain. If you think about it, these are more developed societies with greater financial might and capabilities than ours. Within the region, some islands are facing unprecedented hardships and no one knows how these economies will fare over the next few months. In the case of our region, Saint Lucia has not experienced the hardship as severely as we are seeing in some other islands. This is no time for us to be proud or believe that such hardship will not come our way. We need to make some difficult decisions now to ensure that we can cope with greater hardship that may come our way or to prepare for the rebound when it comes. I am referring to the difficult economic times and the potential for even further challenges for a simple reason. During tough times expenditure must be cut as has happened in our case. In such difficult times, it becomes necessary that the Government gives increased support to private initiatives which seek to fill the void created by state cutbacks and adjustments. In that context, you would appreciate my desire to deliver remarks of appreciation both as Prime Minister and Representative for Vieux Fort South to the launching of the Jermaine Defoe Foundation. I will speak about the necessity for the Foundation and the special qualities of Jermaine shortly, but spare me a moment to reflect on the support that has been given to the disadvantaged for the last fifteen years. SUPPORT FOR THE DISADVANTAGED This Government has had a proud record of creating social programmes to address the social ills and social dislocation which exist in Saint Lucia. I can easily recall the launching of STEP, the James Belgrave Fund, the Poverty Reduction Fund, PROUD, the National Skills Center, NICE, SMILE, NELP, and many others. We have shown an unwavering commitment to providing for the disadvantaged and it is a source of pride that these programmes have transformed the lives of thousands. For so many young people, the elderly and the unemployed these programmes have offered hope and sustenance in the most difficult times. From the acquisition of basic employable skills; support to start small businesses; owning a piece of our homeland and improvements to communities, these programmes have shone as a star of hope. Despite these efforts, there is more to do to fight indigence and poverty in our midst. AN ABANDONED FRONTIER? As Representative for Vieux Fort South, I am reminded daily of the hardship that the residents of the south face. For many years, development focused on the northern part of the island, forcing the south to resemble an abandoned frontier. It was commonplace to feel that the south was left out and would only benefit from the leftovers. The consequence was under-development in programmes and care for the youth, elderly and poor. Therefore, there is a critical need for greater focus on the south and to ensure that we put in place the necessary support structures needed to deal with the plight of thousands of people. This initiative to launch a Foundation to assist and support social programmes in the South is, therefore, most welcome. I have been informed that the Foundation will focus primarily on the vulnerable children of the south. I am sure too that the youth will be delighted to know that the Foundation will place a particular focus on working with them on various projects. I am aware that the Foundation’s first initiative will be to assist a local group in Vieux Fort to work on a shelter for vulnerable, and disadvantaged children, many of whom are victims of abuse. I pledge my support for this initiative and look forward to a full briefing on the project and to receive a request for assistance from Government. I had indicated earlier that we are going through some extraordinarily hard times and the financial resources available to Government are very limited. But Government support does not have to be only in the form of financing. There are many other ways in which we can work together to make this project successful. A FOOTBALL ACADEMY FOR THE SOUTH I am also briefed that a football academy will be launched and located in Vieux Fort. What is even more appealing about the Academy is that it won’t be just a football programme but will also involve a physical facility of international standard built right here in Vieux Fort. I am sure thousands of young boys and girls will be excited about this proposal. AN AVENUE FOR SELF ADVANCEMENT Sport, as you all know, is one of the main activities of young people. Sport has immense potential to direct the creative energy of our youth into productive activities and away from the ever present social ills and discontent which plague our communities. Most importantly, sports now offer, more than ever, an avenue for self-advancement and economic livelihood. Whether it is the IPL for cricket, English Premier League for football or World Tour for tennis, it is possible for sports to offer attractive returns for outstanding performances. Of course, as a country we collectively smile and celebrate when sons and daughters perform outstandingly on the world stage. A SHELTER FOR CHILDREN The establishment of the Jermaine Defoe Football Academy will be a natural complement to the shelter for disadvantaged children and youth. On one hand, the Foundation will be caring for those who have fallen through the cracks in our communities and on the other, offering a means to develop skills and creating an opportunity to pursue careers in football. I await a full briefing on what is planned for the academy and the shelter for our vulnerable children and youth. The Government stands ready to assist. Surely, there is enough land in Vieux Fort that we can offer a long-term lease to ensure that the academy is built at the soonest. A DEDICATED SAINT LUCIAN But all of the above would not have been possible without the person whose name the Foundation carries. I must admit I am particularly impressed with Jermaine. You would imagine that in preparing to attend this activity and when I first heard of the launch of the Foundation, I would have asked a few questions about him; not that I had never heard of him, as a sports lover myself. With Prime Ministerial duties, however, I am severely constrained in my time to follow sports. Nonetheless, I know that he is one of the best strikers in English football and that he plays for an increasingly successful Tottenham Football Club as well as for England. But I also wanted to know what kind of person he is; what makes him so interested in the South of the island and what motivates him. I am told that Jermaine is Saint Lucian through and through. Whilst he may not have been born in Saint Lucia, that was just an accident of circumstances. His mother Sandra, from Desruiseaux, ensured that he was infused with the blood of “Lucian-ness” from conception. Everything he has been taught in growing up is that he is Saint Lucian, must think Saint Lucian, act Saint Lucian, love Saint Lucia and be Saint Lucian. When growing up he spent his holidays in Saint Lucia playing football on the Desruiseaux playing field and on the beaches in the South. Even as he was rising up the ranks of English football as an outstanding talent he would still be on the field and beach playing with young men from the community without ever showing off, pretending to be above them or even disclosing who he really was. He is an amazingly humble person for all his achievements and status as a footballer. A SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL Jermaine did not have to decide that his Foundation should be established in Saint Lucia and to help Saint Lucian youth. I am sure it would be easier to establish a Foundation in North London for disadvantaged youth. It would be easier to raise funds and get support, manage it and promote it when compared with a Foundation thousands of miles away and limited days to be physically present to witness the work of the Foundation. But Jermaine loves Saint Lucia. It matters to him that something is done to help the youth of the country and to offer them a better future. This is a sign of a special individual. A HISTORY OF SUPPORT If you believe that this is all about publicity or for the sake of good news, I can tell you that Jermaine’s work in promoting Saint Lucia or supporting Saint Lucia did not start with this initiative. He has an outstanding record of supporting the work of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board in London which stretches back many years. He has always been willing to assist in any worthy cause involving Saint Lucia whether in times of disaster like after the passage of Hurricane Tomas or fund raising for humanitarian projects. I am satisfied that Jermaine is a worthy person to lead this Foundation. He cares for others and for Saint Lucia. He is also humble. Not many with his immense success accept that they have a responsibility to give and share with others less fortunate. Jermaine does. He is dedicated to whatever he does, and he is an achiever who is never daunted by the task before him. A COMMITTED MOTHER It must also be mentioned that Jermaine would not be who he is and Saint Lucia would not be benefiting from his care and love if it were not for the hard work of a special person - a woman; a mother; a Saint Lucian. Sandra. From what I hear, she is in Saint Lucia more often than Saint Lucians who live here. Never one to forget that she is from Saint Lucia she has an incredible love for her land and people - qualities she nurtured in Jermaine. All along the way, she guided and shaped him into what he is today. I can tell you that you have done an amazing job! We are beneficiaries of your hard work and love for your land. I thank you. DREAM BIG, ALWAYS I wish to encourage the young people who will benefit from this initiative to “dream big”. Saint Lucia has significant involvement in English football. A number of great English footballers have Saint Lucian roots. Les Ferdinand, Rio and Anton Ferdinand and Jermaine Defoe all have Saint Lucian parents. Zaine Pierre, from Dennery, is currently with Genoa, in Italy. You can do it too. Skill and talent alone won’t get you there. Discipline and dedication along with the skill and talent, will. Dream Big! If your interest is another sport, the Foundation can still be a launching-pad for your career. If your interest is not sport the Foundation can still help you on the road to realising your dream. Yes! Dream Big! A SOURCE OF SUPPORT In conclusion, I want to reiterate that Jermaine has my support and encouragement as the Foundation is launched and commences work; not simply as Parliamentary Representative but also as Prime Minister. I am available to listen to your needs, to monitor your work and to be a source of support when you need me. Your work will transform lives and create a renewed sense of hope and possibility. Proceed in the comfort that I am there personally and the Government collectively to make the Foundation a success. Thank you.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:53:45 +0000
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