BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RESIDENTS of the Cardin Home on National Heroes Day were treated to a scrumptious breakfast, courtesy of the Rotaract Club of St. Kitts.
Bright and early Wednesday morning (Sept. 16), the club’s members made their rounds before converging at the Home with pots and pans filled with different components of the meal.
The Rotaractors prepared the meal - which consisted of a balance of fruits, hot beverages, carbohydrates and protein – and with the help of the Home’s staff, plated the meal and served to 75 residents.
During and following the consumption of the meal, the Rotaractors were thanked by the residents for their kind gesture.
In an exclusive interview with a member of the club, the idea for and rational behind this social project was explained to SKNVibes.
“The project first started in 2001 on Independence Day and, instead of breakfast, it began with afternoon snacks. Then we switched it to National Heroes Day as a form recognising those who would have contributed to the development of their respective communities. We felt that we needed to do something more than just afternoon snacks. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we felt that it would be better to start the day right.
“We recognised that having breakfast and serving it early gives us enough time to fellowship with the residents after. We have actually made friends with the residents and they look forward to us coming,” the member explained.
The representative explained that each year, the Club works intimately with the Home’s Director in order t have a “healthy and delicious” meal that caters to the residents’ nutritional needs.
“This year, we catered to 75 residents, 14 of which are diabetic. We are very pleased to make this an annual even on your calendar. Apart from giving back, it’s a way for us to recognise and show appreciation on a day set aside to celebrate national heroes, to appreciate them for their contributions and to show them that there are still young persons out there who are willing to give back to them.”
The success of this venture, as explained by the club’s representative, has been such that calls are being made for it to be made a bi-annual event; a recommendation which is expected to be taken before the club’s board for consideration.
“We had a very good turnout today as over 80 percent of our membership took part in the initiative, and there have been calls by the membership to make this a bi-annual event. We will be taking that recommendation to the Rotaract executive to discuss it and see how best we can fit it into our programme of activities.”
