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| Mrs. Patricia Hanley |
Mrs. Patricia Hanley is the endorsed NRP candidate for the St Georges Constituency in the upcoming local elections. She is a retired Nurse having spent some 32 years working in hospitals and health centres in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Ron Daniel sat down with this refined, spiritual lady to discuss her life, her reason for entering into politics and what the people of St. Georges can expect from her if she wins the next elections among other things.
Q:- You must have begun nursing at a young age. Why did you choose this profession in the first place and why did you stay for more than 30 years?
A:- You are correct. I went into Nursing right out of school in 1973 with the intention helping my mother with my younger brothers and sisters. I had a sense of duty to my family as the eldest and my mother was depending on me. I chose Nursing because it was a profession that involved nurturing people and that was where I felt my calling was at the time.
I stayed in my profession for 32 years Ron, because whatever I do I am committed to it. As long as I have decided to take a certain path I put my whole heart into it. I became a Ward Sister in 1993, and shortly after that I went into community health and that was where I received the most job satisfaction. The communities I served depended on me and when I made home visits it was a joy to see how happy my patients were to see me. That really blessed me and I would like to think that my visits did not just ease their illnesses but blessed them in other ways as well as I also made it my duty to cheer them up. I sometimes had the opportunity to even cook for them, cut their nails and other things. This gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing I
was able to do more to make them comfortable.
Q:- What was one of your most memorable experiences as a Nurse?
A:-This incident always brings a smile to face when I recall it. Some years ago while I was the District Nurse at Gingerland Health Centre, I got a call from the sister of a lady who was in her final trimester of pregnancy, who told me that I had to come quickly. I grabbed all of my Nursing equipment and to be quite honest in those days I did not have my own vehicle and when I visited my patients it was on foot, or by begging a lift or taking a bus. Well this lady lived way up in Rawlins past the tank and in the urgency I did not even think about how I was going to get there. I just grabbed my bag and started running. When I got to the Police Station I saw a gentleman coming from Zion and I flagged him down and of course seeing my uniform he stopped immediately.
I told him that I had an emergency way up in Rawlins and I needed to get there stat. He drove me to my patient and when I got there it was just in time to deliver the baby right there in her home. I was very happy to save a life because in childbirth, although the average person views it as easy, anything can go wrong and both mother and infant can be lost or jeopardized. Thank God it had a happy ending and the infant is today a healthy child. The ambulance which had been called some time earlier came and the mother and infant were then transported to the hospital.
That is why when I say that an emergency unit must be stationed at the Gingerland Police Station I know what I am talking about. When I say we need a fire unit, I know whereof I speak. I come from a position of experience when I address the health needs of Gingerland and the whole of Nevis.
Q:-If you were to do it all over again would you go back into nursing and why?
A:- I would not change anything about my life now or before. I think the Lord led me into Nursing because I was meant to touch the lives of many. I am satisfied that I have done so through my vocation because I was also able to speak to people about God's love towards us. I do not believe that any other profession would have afforded me the pleasure of getting so close to so many people in my lifetime. I have been in contact with all of the young people in Gingerland at some point in my profession. I ministered to their minor hurts and pains, some would just come to the Health center because they needed a friend to talk to and I was always there for them.
Sometimes I would be coming home in my uniform and they would be playing a game of cricket and they would call me to come for a game. Yes I played with them! That is what children and young people are all about; you must always deal with them on their level to keep their trust.
Q:- I also understand that you are also a farmer. What do you produce and why did you choose to go into farming?
A:-Farming was a means of relaxation for me in the first instance. Later on it became a business as we expanded the operation and realized it as a viable source of income for our family. We work closely with the department of Agriculture and we produce according to season and demand. We produce melon, tomatoes, cucumbers and other fruits and vegetables.
Q:-You have been a nurse and I understand you still perform some nursing duties and you are also very much involved in your farm. Why then did you choose to go into politics?
A:- I like to think that working in the Nursing profession for the number of years that I did, not only acclimatizes one for hard work but it develops your multi-tasking skills as well. I do Nursing only on a small scale when I am called on to help by one of my fellow villagers. You never lose your nurturing spirit or your will to help people feel better. I also have help on the farm so even though I still find being in the land therapeutic, I do not work as much in the actual production. Going into politics is just another avenue in which I can give back to my country. Sometimes I just visit but I still do small task for my former patients because they are used to it. I would do things like check their blood pressure of glucose levels for them
Q:- In your town hall meeting on October 26th 2005 at Gingerland, you mentioned that you were not merely throwing your hat in the ring but your heart in the ring. What do you mean by that?
A:-. As for entering politics, I have told you that whatever I do, I put my whole heart into it. This is no different for me. I just see my offer to be the representative for Gingerland as another avenue to serve my fellow Nevisians as I did for 32 years...I am just making a bid to do so in a different capacity
Q: You are seen as the bravest lady in the history of Nevis politics because of your decision to take on the sitting Premier. Aren't you scared by him, and how has been the response of the people to you as you travel throughout the constituency?
A:- Scared by him? Why would I be scared by him? He is a man and I serve an enormous God who sustains me. I know also, that I am right to run for this seat. Gingerland deserves to be represented. We cannot just keep voting for someone for a smile. We will not be distracted from our goal by any amount of fresh concrete and dirt. We know without a doubt that all this new activity is only in response to my candidacy or we would still be treated like we are not a part of Nevis...like maybe St. Kitts is responsible for us! The people of Gingerland have been very supportive of my bid to replace Vance as their representative. I am not trying to be Premier; I am just trying to get better for Gingerland.
The other day I saw a cartoon of the CCM map and it only had St. John's and St. Paul's on it.
St. Georges, St Thomas' and St. James were blanked out. I believe that is how the people of Nevis in these three parishes are feeling right now; disenfranchised. I believe that the Premier has taken us for granted long enough! You have to remember that he was not just the Premier...he was also the representative to Gingerland. If he was not strong enough to take on the task of getting Gingerland on the map of Nevis then someone else will have to do it. I have even heard talk that the work being undertaken in Gingerland is really not initiated by Premier Amory, but by the representative in St. John who is very much aware that without Vance in the race it is over. I do not know how true that is but I repeat that Gingerland deserves a representative who cares for us. I will be the one. Send me
Q:- Can you briefly tell us about one or two programs that the people of St. Georges can look forward to if you are elected?
A:-. You know that I have a special interest in the well being of the elderly. I don't believe that once you have served your family and country that you should just be forgotten or discarded. I am looking forward to offering day services for the elderly. That will include transportation to and from the Health Centre. Social interaction and leisure time is essential for the mental well being of the elderly. Also I would want to introduce a mobile dispensary on Doctor's Clinic days.
I still intend to ensure that the wishes of the people are met by creating a new and improved Market Shop, by installing a Scenic Traffic Roundabout. I notice that some digging have been started in response to my initiative, but we would not have handled it that way. We have a proper plan for implementation. I also have an interest in the youth of Nevis, especially Gingerland. I talked about introducing mentoring programs for the youth especially our boys. There will be much more programs as we progress in Government.
Q:- It appears that almost everything that you have spoken about we see the present government doing before elections (widening of Road at Rawlins, paved walkways at GSS etc). How does this make you feel knowing that you are a new candidate?
A:- The thing is Ron, some people are running with this matter of the paved walkways in GSS and saying that I said I did it. Let me clear that matter up right here. On my platform I said that the work was done after my call was made for it in my first town hall meeting. Clearly, that is the truth. I am not trying to take anything away from the PTA as was implied.
I commend them heartily for undertaking the work but we must also acknowledge that all the materials were supplied by Government...that too is the truth. Truth is power and I rely on that to be ever constant. As for the other projects, it gives me a great feeling of satisfaction that I can bring some relief to us here in Gingerland. I can say us because what affects my fellow Gingerlanders affect me. I live here and I have no plans to move anywhere.
It also shows me that the Premier realizes that my bid for this seat is a serious one. I have no plans to ease up on the pressure. I have told you before and I will say it again...my whole heart is in it.
Q:-We understand that you had donated and delivered a refrigerator to the Gingerland Health Center; the place where you worked for 11 years before you retired from nursing, and the Ministry of Health frowned on your gift. What has become of the refrigerator since then and what will become of it?
A:- I made my case clear on my last town hall meeting and do not wish to rehash it at this point. The unit was donated to a Government institution and so it is now owned by Government. I understand that GSS/ PTA are in need of one; maybe it can be utilized there.
Q:- Throughout all your political speeches you make reference to God. How big a role does God play in your life?
A:- God is my personal all in all. I believe that a nation whose faith is in the Lord is truly blessed, that is why I believe that we should fill our highest Government offices with Godly people.
If you were to use three words to describe Patricia Hanley, what would they be and why?
A:-Dedicated, faithful and strong. I am dedicated to my God, my family and my country. I am faithful to all and everything I commit myself to and I tackle them all with the same fervour. As for my strength; I have to say that I have not had an easy life but I am an over-comer and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Q:- Is there anything else that you would like to say before we end this interview?
A:-.It would be remiss of me I did not appeal to my friends and neighbors, the people of St. Georges from this forum. "You have been very kind and supportive of my candidacy for your representative in the next election. I want to thank those of you who opened up your homes and your hearts to listen to me. I cannot begin to tell how much I have appreciated you.
I want you to know that I am very serious about being your representative for St. Georges in a Nevis Reformation Party government. I ask you to continue to support my cause for change and on Election Day please give your vote to the candidate who is; Closer to you'all the time."
