Red Cross Volunteer dedicates International award to her organisation and community

It was never Dora James’ goal to be a recipient of the IFRC’ highest award, as she was only giving her service without expecting anything back. James explained that she was recommended for the award by Training Officer of the St Vincent Red Cross, Descina Hamilton and it was endorsed by the President of Grenada’s Red Cross, Samantha Dickson.

“I never imagined that I would be selected, but in the words of the committee, it was unanimously selected. I feel great, and I don’t claim it for myself, it is the cause of the organisation and the Vincentian community,” said James.

She gave thanks to God, the Red Cross organisation and some of its current and past members stating that, “the award is for all of us because we all made a contribution”.

The longstanding Red Cross volunteer received the prestigious award at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, organised by the Standing Commission of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The award is the Henry Dunant Award, given as an honour for James’ contribution to disaster management, first aid, education, and deeds of great commitment to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at the national and international levels.

James has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for the past 54 years, and served in a variety of capacities. In a telephone interview with SEARCHLIGHT on November 6, 2024, James said she became a member of the Red Cross in 1971. She was around the age of 10 and in primary school. She recalled stating her interest in the group when members visited her school back then.

“They came to the school, and you know, with children, they just jump up and say yes without even asking their parents.”

James outlined that the Red Cross Organisation operates on seven fundamental guidelines, a major one being humanity.

“As a volunteer, you volunteer yourself to mankind; so it does not matter who you are, once we are in the Red Cross, we serve you.”

After some years, James became the leader of the Chataeubelair Red Cross group, and because of her work, she was then assigned the role of District Chair for the North Leeward Disaster Management Committee.

She served at one point as the Vice President of the Red Cross, and also served in the capacity of Director General.

In 1985, James was a part of the Chateaubelair Red Cross group that started a preschool as a part of their community project.

“There was a preschool that was closed, and we decided that we would take it up. It was not a money-making thing, but it employed two of our volunteers,” James recalled.

She also mentioned that as a volunteer group, they are always challenged by the lack of funds to do projects.

“We still have the preschool. It seems like we might have some additional challenges where we are using now is the Chateaubelair Community Centre, and so it would soon be an administrative building,” James noted, but added that they are hopeful that a ‘Good Samaritan’ would assist.

The veteran volunteer outlined that the Red Cross Organisation operates on seven fundamental guidelines, a major one being humanity.

“As a volunteer, you volunteer yourself to mankind; so it does not matter who you are, once we are in the Red Cross, we serve you.” The Red Cross is among humanitarian organisations that are visible and active especially in times of disaster.

James explained that much planning goes into preparing for a disaster, and shared that the organisation currently prepares for multiple disasters in one year because of the change in the occurrence of natural disasters in the Caribbean.

“So even if you think you are in the hurricane season, we still have to deal with other disasters and hazards that could start impacting and create a situation where there are multiple impacts of hazards on the island.” This year, the Red Cross has been in the forefront of responders in the wake of the passage of Hurricane Beryl, at a time when its members were still handling Covid-19, Dengue Fever, and the general flu.

James returned home from Switzerland to a warm welcome from members of her organisation who held a ceremony at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) to celebrate the honour bestowed on her from the international body.

Still with an eagle’s eye on increasing membership, James closed the interview with SEARCHLIGHT by encouraging people to join the Red Cross Movement, noting that there are no boundaries in the Red Cross. “The only limit is yourself.”