(L-R) Colin Bramble, Rtn. Ken Guiste and President Monica Ramgeet Collin Bramble, one of the Directors of the Centre, gave an impassioned presentation at the Club’s weekly breakfast meeting held at Maria’s By The Sea this morning.
The centre, a non-profit organization which officially opened at Manuel Reef Marina in 2005, is partially funded by government, but depends on the generosity of private sector donors to provide the resources to train special needs children and other youth to swim, sail and kayak during structured programmes.
Speaking to Rotarians this morning, Bramble said the sailability programme demonstrates that these individuals have the ability to be integrated into the community. “In fact, one of our graduates started a full time job yesterday at Horizon Yacht Charters,” he proudly declared.
Bramble said the BVI Watersports Centre is operating at a negative profit of about $30,000. He underscored the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the programme and appealed to the three Rotary Clubs in the BVI to each adopt one of three small sail boats, aptly named Faith, Hope and Charity.
President Monica Ramgeet of the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town jumped at the opportunity and committed her club to adopting Hope. This spurred a series of pledges from members who came up with the $3, 333 in just about 10 minutes.
An overwhelmed Bramble expressed gratitude to the Club for what turned out to be much more than just an invitation to breakfast, but the adoption of a new partner in the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town.
During his speech, he also spoke of the planned visit in December of fellow Rotarian Geoff Holt, a paraplegic, who will sail from the UK to Cane Garden Bay, where he sustained that life-changing accident.
In addition, Bramble outlined plans by Sailability BVI to enter teams into the Latin American Special Olympic Games in 2010 and the international Sailability Regatta in 2011.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town inducted its 7th member since its charter in April this year. Danielle Ellis received her Rotary pin and Rotary pack during a ceremony officiated by Assistant District Governor Vance Lewis and President Monica.
On Saturday September 12th, Rotarians will come out in their numbers to conduct a clean-up of the Road Town area, starting from the Central Administration Complex at 7am. The public is invited to join the Rotarians in this community effort to keep the capital beautiful and make this a better environment for us all.
The Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town meets Tuesdays at 7am at Maria’s By The Sea Hotel.
| 
Comments (1 posted): 
