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| Minister of Social Transformation presents a token of appreciation to team leader Ms. Aymara Guzman with the assistance of Ms. Joyce Moving (centre) and the Hon Robelto Hector (left) | CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (May 22, 2007) -- Minister of Social Transformation the Hon Hensley Daniel told a team of Cuban Social Workers who formed part of the Energy Saving Bulb Replacement Programme that their time on Nevis was valuable time spent getting to know and learn the culture of Nevisians.
Mr. Daniel's comment came on Monday May 21st at the Community Centre on Hanleys Road, while he bade farewell to the 30 social workers who left Nevis on Tuesday May 22nd for their homeland Cuba.
"The bulbs represent a tremendous opportunity for us to build inter cultural and inter personal relations and in a world which is increasingly global, we thank you very much for affording us the opportunity to build those relationships," he said as he demonstrated his bilingual skills.
The team had concluded a one month stay on the island while they replaced a total of 43,636 of a planned 45,000 bulbs as part of the energy saving bulbs programme. The energy saving programme an initiative of the Cuban Government was brought to Nevis through Premier the Hon. Joseph Parry's discussions with the Cuban authorities. The Cuban Government extended the programme to a number of islands in the Caribbean including St. Kitts and Nevis.
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| A section of the Cuban Social Workers at the Hanleys Road Community Centre |
Mr. Daniel registered his gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) and cited that the programme came at a time when the price of oil had skyrocketed. "Thank you for the opportunity to at least realise a bit of savings," he said. He also thanked the all who assisted in making the stay of the Cubans a memorable one including the private sector, other government ministries and all government personnel who assisted with the programmes success.
Mr. Ernie Stapleton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works in brief remarks regarded the project as a very important one to Nevis. He said there were two things which stood out with the project namely the high level of productivity and the vast team work and partnership displayed.
"I think the Cubans must be commended for a wonderful job in terms of how they carried out their duties and work. It is a joy to see young people very productive and very organised in terms of the distribution of bulbs on Nevis and to cover Nevis in such a short period of time is really commendable. Secondly, I noticed also that we all worked as a team and in partnership and that is something that is commendable," he said. He also commended the community for the warm reception they gave to the Cubans. ~~adz:Left~~
Meantime, in response, team leader Ms. Aymara Guzman, who would remain on Nevis for an additional 15 days, thanked Nevisians on behalf of her team for their thoughtfulness and kindness.
"We would like to say thank you to the people of Nevis because they open their houses for us and they were really nice people to us. They open not only their houses but even their hearts and with this energy saving project we improve not only the relationships between Cuba and the government of St. Kitts and Nevis but also we all know a great people from this moment on and we will keep these memories in our hearts. Thank you," an emotional Guzman said.
Each team member was presented with a token of appreciation by Minister Daniel with the assistance of Ms. Joyce Moving and the Hon. Robelto Hector Minister of Communications and Works.
Also present at the ceremony was Mr. Patrice Nisbett Legal Advisor and Ms. Angelica Elliott Assistant Secretary in the Premier's Ministry.
The bulb replacement programme commenced on Nevis in April with a total of 25 female and five male social workers. The energy saving bulbs will realise savings to homeowners and the NIA.
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