There is a call for there to be more persons like Jestina Charles, as it will help the region to develop more. This call was made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the First Caribbean International Bank, Charles Pink during the honouring of the Regional Unsung Heroes, which took place in Bridgetown Barbados on Tuesday, February 6.

Charles, who is a Vincentian, took the top honours at the Regional Unsung Hero competition after winning the local leg of the competition which took place in October last year. She received $7,500 and a trophy as her prize at a ceremony which took place last week Tuesday in Barbados.{{more}}

On arrival at the E.T. Joshua airport last week Wednesday, Charles described her trip to Barbados as one that was well received starting from the arrival at the Grantley Adams Airport where she received VIP treatment to the conclusion of the visit at the Hilton Hotel.

For her, the greatest memories in Barbados included the reading of her speech, which she said reduced some members of the audience to tears.

Jestina Charles has left an indelible mark on her community. When she was younger, she taught Home Economics in her community, worked with the 4H club and encouraged many young persons to be involved in meaningful activities. She also worked as a Theologian, foster mother, seamstress, mentor, marriage counsellor and an agriculturalist.

Currently, Jestina is conducting a 30-year-old feeding program in which she distributes food packages called the ” Love Table,” aimed at targeting the poor, aged and under privileged persons. She is still involved in the government-funded Golden Years Activity Centre that is located at Black Point where she teaches crafts to the elderly persons at the centre.

In an effort to keep the young people of Georgetown occupied Jestina will be establishing a netball club, which will include students between the ages of 13-18 and is planning to purchase the uniforms for the team this week.

Jestina has been married for 40 years to Pastor Hollis Charles, and although she does not have any biological children, she has raised several children, most of whom are today some of this country’s outstanding citizens.

The first runner-up in the competition was Laura Collymore of St. Lucia and the second runner-up went to Marvin Finlayson from the Bahamas and a special gift was given to Fabian Mitchell of Jamaica.