Newly opened headquarters of the Montserrat Guide Association
Recalling the disaster to Montserrat and the many challenges faced, on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 the Montserrat Guide Association officially opened their new headquarters building in Lookout with an official ceremony.
The event took place during the weeklong celebration which began with a Church Service on the preceding Sunday, marking, Thinking Day, celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Mrs. Oeslyn Jemmotte, president of the Association, chaired the ceremony events and opened by welcoming guests, and expressing gratefulness to the “many organizations and individuals, and in particular the Government of Montserrat and UK Guiding for the assistance given in making the establishment of this headquarters, a reality.”
She reminded that since the volcanic activity started in 1995, “we lost the use of the headquarters in Plymouth, the association has had to depend on the generosity of churches, schools, and the homes of the executive members to conduct its business.”
In spite of the many disasters the island faced and the many challenges The Guide Movement has encountered over the years, she said, “guiding has functioned continuously.” Informing, “the Association will be celebrating its 80th anniversary next year.”
Mrs. Angela Greenaway is Chairperson of the Association’s Building Committee. She gave a brief outline of the challenges they met primarily with finance, finally landing the building which had begun at a site in Davy Hill, now in Lookout. Initial funding came from the UK North East England Guide Association and lands donated by Government through a 99-year lease agreement. She expressed gratitude on behalf of the Association all the parties, businesses included who assisted in completing the building.
While it was pointed out that building was completed in August last year when it was blessed it was being used until this official opening. Mrs. Jemmotte at one point noted that they were in need of furniture, advising also that the building was available use by all for functions and events. “…this building would not be restricted to the local Movement but will be open to International Guide associations and the Montserrat community…willing to permit the community to use this building for meetings, workshops, social gatherings, etc.,” she said.
As Mrs. Jemmotte had laid out the principles, values and worthiness of the Guiding Movement to young girls and women, outlining the benefits. Mrs. Delmaude Ryan, Minister of Education, Health, Youth Affairs, in bringing remarks, endorsed as she recalled her own benefits from the qualities espoused to her and now cherished, since continues to be a girl guide from over 27 years. She said that some of the core values of the association, shaped her into the person she is today enabling her to use them as a Minister of Government. The promise she made as a Guide at enrollment, “…to do my best, to do my duty to God, to serve the Queen and to help other people, and to keep the Girl Guide law. Today that very promise still lives in me in serving my country in this very role as a Minister,” she declared, going on to encourage parents and guardians to give to their girls allowing them one of the best gifts they can give.
She thanked those who over the years volunteered their time, those who contributed to her own development through the Movement, “and for those of you who are thinking about it, act on it.”
She then said, as it was her main duty: “…it is a great pleasure to declare this building open to be used the Montserrat Girl Guides, Commission, Association and Community, and the Community in building of good citizens of Montserrat.”
In between there were two items of entertainment provided by the Brownies in poetry, song and dance. The Brownies form part of the Association, along with rainbows, guides and rangers.
The building is to be their home to hold meetings, work on the skills required for proficiency badges, have pack holidays and camps and as a centre for holding training workshops etc. Mrs. Jemmotte indicated. “This building will enable us to more effectively conduct the business of the association,” advising carefully and notably, “However, the use of this building would not be restricted to the local movement, but will be open to international Guide associations and the Montserrat community. The Association is willing to permit the community to use this building for meetings, workshops, social gatherings, etc.”
At the end it was Guide Commissioner Dr. Coretta Fergus to reiterate and officially thank all who were instruments in making the eventuality of the building a reality. She meted out special thanks to the Government, and also to Owen Lewis in his role as Director of PIU, various Ministries, Mr. Kenrick Harewood, the building contractor, others, and to all gratefulness to business community, everyone who contributed to the days events.
The association was at the time celebrating its Annual Guide’s Week of activities. As part of the activities, the annual church service was held at the Roman Catholic Church in Look Out, visits to the elderly, the shutting, as well as handing out food basket were all done during the weeks.
The building contains bathroom facilities, an office space and a hall/meeting room. It is also suitable for camps and is located just opposite the netball court in Look Out.
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