You can make a difference

Fri, Oct 21. 2011

MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY SIR FREDERICK N. BALLANTYNE, G.C.M.G., MD, DSc
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
TO MARK THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

The theme of my Independence Message is influenced by an article which I read recently. The story goes that a garbage collector separated the discarded books from the garbage he collected, and set up a library for underprivileged children in his hometown.{{more}}

His simple action reminded me, and should remind all Vincentians, that regardless of one’s position in life, he or she can make a difference, and now, more than ever, we all as individuals need to find some way to make that contribution to the development of our beautiful nation.

This overarching principle must be our focus, not only for this Independence but must become the roadmap of our daily lives.

The challenging economic times are likely to continue for another year or two. While we must accept this dire situation, we must ensure that we are not overwhelmed by a feeling of negativity, which can lead us to believe that these problems have no solutions.

We are blessed, not only by rich natural resources but also with a number of bright talented individuals who need now, either individually or working as a group, to help us to find solutions to the myriad problems which confront us.

We need to start addressing with urgency problems with our education system, problems of chronic diseases, problems of the misuse of energy, our general attitude to the environment, problems of poverty and unemployment, to name but a few of the challenges which confront us today.

I remain convinced that every single individual has a role to play in contributing to the solution to some of these problems, Government, in my view, should only be a facilitator in this exercise remaining always open, approachable and conciliatory.

The problems affect all of us. The solutions rest with all of us.

Let us this Independence Day rise to the challenge, affirming that individually we can make a difference in this important exercise of nation building.

My family and I wish all Vincentians a Happy Independence Day and God’s richest blessings.