The Buxton Young Visionaries observed its first anniversary on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at the Friendship Primary School. The occasion was marked by a program with the gathering of parents, mentees and well wishers along with members of the committee of management and the founder and stakeholder, Mr. Keith Easton. Present also, were members of “Toucan Club” another youth group in the village and representatives from Cimbux Inc., USA based organization.
The day’s proceedings were chaired by the secretary Ms.Karen Dey who welcomed everyone and spoke about the formation of the Young Visionaries. This was followed by CEO, Mr. Deon Abrams, who delivered an overview of the organization and was also asked to provide information about the Local Government Elections. Mr. Keith Easton, the founder spoke of the reason and purpose for the establishment of the Young Visionaries and the roles it is expected to play in the development of new leaders for the community and the country as a whole. He stated that the club is currently awaiting approval of its constitution for NGO status from the Cooperatives Division and also announced the setting up of a Buxton Museum to display and preserve the village’s history. This should be completed in 2017.
A review of the year’s activities was done by coordinators Mr. Kidackie Amsterdam and Mrs. Bonita Hatton who reported that the mentees were exposed to activities aimed at self development, social etiquette, goal setting, environmental awareness, and responsibilities as students, residents and citizens.
The club’s activities culminated at the end of the year with an exciting and informative tour. On December 15, Th 2015 the Visionaries visited the1823 Monument at the Kitty seawall, African Heritage Museum, the Castalani House and the Office of the President where they sat in Cabinet and were given the opportunity to be Ministers. They also visited the independence arch and the 1763 Monument. Their final stop was the Botanical Gardens for lunch and relaxation.
The Young Visionaries Club was formed in January 2015 with the main aim of providing Life Skills and mentoring a total of forty students with a focus on under-achievers, between the ages of ten and thirteen years old, drawn from schools within the Buxton / Friendship neighborhood. Members of the Committee of Management are as follows.
Deon Abrams – Chairman, Kidackie Amsterdam – Asst. Chairman /Coordinator, Karen Dey -Secretary, Ingrid Nelson – Treasurer, Lester Andries – Asst. Secretary/ Treasurer, Yvette Herod, Sharon Abrams, Bonita Hatton – Coordinator, and Edgar Simon – Instructor
At the end of the program, the Visionaries were presented with T/Shirts by the founder, who acknowledged contributions from his sister, Treon Simon and Lennox Morgan in acquiring the T/Shirts. The logo on the T/Shirt, Educate, Create, Inspire, Financial, Empowerment, and Leadership were explained. At the same time he acknowledged the three Cimbux’s 2015 Reunion awardees that were present.
At this forum on Sunday, Yvette Herod founder of Toucan Multipurpose Club read a message from Mr. Horace Azore – Cimbux’s president congratulating the SSEE awardee, Ms. Tonique Hatton, a Visionary who qualified to attend Presidents College. Ms. Hatton was presented by Ms. Ruth Wills, Cimbux representative, a cash award in keeping with Cimbux’s ongoing annual scholarship to qualified SSEE students.
Secretary
