PERSPECTIVES
by H.E. Lady Williams
The second quarter of 2021 has been an active and productive period. The Halo Foundation welcomed two new non-profit organizations under the patronage of H.E. Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General. The Royal Commonwealth Society Antigua and Barbuda Branch (RCS) was officially launched at Government House on May 31st. Our first area of focus was to encourage participation in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. Watch this space for more exciting community-oriented initiatives from the RCS, in partnership with the Halo Foundation.
Street Pastors also began their collaboration with Halo, as they continue their efforts to alleviate poverty and suffering of the homeless on our streets. According to Street Pastors, there are currently around 40 known vagrants in St. John’s with no fixed place of abode, hot meal or warm shower to go home to at the end of each day. Halo pledges to work diligently with this organization to especially achieve SDG goals #1 and #2 (zero poverty and hunger).
We are exceptionally proud of the work that the Girl Guides Association of Antigua and Barbuda has been undertaking. As Patron of this organization, I attended their annual general meeting at the Headquarters on June 19th. The agenda to take this uniformed body of young women forward was clearly articulated in the annual report and calendar of activities laid out by both the Commissioner and President. Halo has assured the Girl Guides executive body and membership that we will become even more involved in their initiatives to nurture, train and involve young girls in the various spheres of “Guiding”.
Our team is looking forward to welcoming two instructors from the Royal Drawing School in the United Kingdom: Cherry Pickles of the Senior Royal Drawing School Faculty, and Oliver MacDonald Oulds – Alumni of the Drawing Year 2018 and Royal Drawing School Young Artist Faculty. They will be working along with local counterpart, Anson Henry, to sharpen and refresh the technical skills of 22 art teachers across the island through a 3-month certification course ratified by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries. Thanks to the Jumby Bay Fund and The G (Art Gallery) for their contributions.
Halo Generation Y continues to do their bit to make the world a better place. (Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”). They were joined by three volunteers from the United Kingdom, who spent three weeks in Antigua assisting with charitable projects. It is so heartwarming to witness young people who care about the future of this vulnerable world in which we temporarily reside.
Please continue to stay safe and adhere to all pandemic protocols.
H.E. Lady Williams
Governor General’s Goodwill Emissary
President and Founder, The Halo Foundation Inc.
