Renwick Rose gets hero’s honour

The idea of honouring our leaders while they are alive is surely taking root. In addition to honouring national heroes, Vincentians at community, organizational and sectoral levels are beginning to recognize the outstanding contributions of persons in their midst and paying tribute to them.{{more}}

One such event was organized last Friday (March 14), National Heroes Day. The Langley Park Fairtrade Group held a dinner and social gathering at the LESCO building in honour of WINFA Co-ordinator Renwick Rose.

The Langley Park Fairtrade Group is one of the pioneers of Fairtrade banana exports in the Windward Islands and remains a stalwart member of the process. Refurbishing the LESCO building as a community centre is one of the social projects it has undertaken with funds obtained from the Fairtrade social premium.

Rose was honoured for his “dedication to the survival of the banana industry and for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Fairtrade movement in the islands”. Leading the tributes was Nioka Abbott, Chairperson of the Langley Park Fairtrade Group. Other farmers, especially the women, spontaneously spoke in glowing terms of Rose’s work and wished him all the best, describing him as “OUR HERO”. He was presented with a plaque by a member of the group.

WINFA’s Coordinator, along with other delegates, had returned the same day from St Lucia after attending numerous meetings with key stakeholders to present the case for the farmers of the Windwards to control the banana industry.

He thanked the Group for the appreciation shown and the moral support for the work done on their behalf and took the opportunity to inform them about the latest developments with regard to the negotiations and lobbying efforts done by WINFA. He further highlighted the many challenges that confront the organization and that he was more energized to work even harder to secure a market space for Fairtrade farmers in the Windward Islands.