As we watched the Ebenezer Methodist Church of Old Road fill up and overflow in to the five or six tents provided in the adjacent grounds, we knew that this was the funeral of a man who had touched the lives of many.
As we listened from 2 pm to well after 4 p.m. to the sincere tributes being paid to Hillery Augustus Mordecai Hunkins by young and old, we felt the outpouring of love that came with them.
As we witnessed the presence of members of the teaching fraternity from Nevis, Antigua, St. Lucia, from the Caribbean Union of Teachers and from Educational International, we understood that a PILLAR in the Education world had fallen. And as we noted the line of clergy on the platform to participate in his home going, we could tell that this was truly a man of God.
As we read the heartfelt tributes of family and close friends from the colourful funeral booklet, we were awed by the totality of love, respect and gratitude that flowed towards this son of the soil, who in his short lifespan of 49 years, had moulded and steered the lives of so many towards higher aspirations and meaningful goals.
He was thanked for his heroic efforts to improve every child in St. Kitts and Nevis, for his unconditional love – a love he shared with everyone with whom he came into contact. He was called “a good Samaritan”, a mentor, “an inspiration” and a “guiding light”. His influence had spread through the many avenues of the Church, School and Community in which he walked. ..Sunday School Superintendent, Class leader Boys’ Brigade Officer, Church Leader, Choir member, Community Improvement Leader, Teacher, Teachers’ Union President – in all these avenues of service, he “never failed to highlight the importance of morals, respect, hard work, perseverance and always striving for the best”.
These were not hypocritical mouthings, for many came from the youth whose egos were not developed enough to get in the way of expressing their sincere appreciation, and one could not help reflecting that this country needs men like Hillery Hunkins more than ever, at this time, to impact the youth and help them to swerve away from the destructive pathways they now traverse.
This dynamic young man always found ways to serve his fellowmen and was himself a life-long learner even as he strove to teach others. As late as 2008, he completed his Masters Degree in Business Administration. Said one of his colleagues from the University: “Conversations with Hillery always resulted somehow in learning something new about him, about ourselves, or life in general. .., He was an exceptionally good communicator; articulate yet uncomplicated.”
As we listened, we were led to reflect that positive, energetic men like Hillery, if given the opportunity could push this country’s youth towards greatness. But was Hillery recognised and given the opportunity to serve his country to the full? Alas, on the contrary, his outspokenness, his fearlessness and his determination to forge a path for teachers brought him into conflict with the powers that be. In official circles he was regarded as ‘an upstart’ and attempts were made crush him and “put him in his place”. His forthrightness in his attempts to bring about a ‘structured grievance procedure’ for the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union incurred the ire of Ministry officials resulting in an undeserved “tongue lashing’ in the National Assembly.
These reflections on the passing on Hillery Hunkins must make us face up to the warp we have in this society that is stifling our progress. No educator, no matter how good s/he is, will be acknowledged or assisted unless s/he is jumping up and down on the ruling political bandwagon. In St. Kitts, this is the only criterion that will allow any recognition of greatness. In the political ego war that is endemic in our society, our energies are totally taken up in deciding who wins (stays up and progresses) and who loses (must be kept down). Decisions as to who progresses are invariably unrelated to the individual’s character, skills or professionalism.
It was this background of thinking that led a teacher of the calibre of Hillery Hunkins to be transferred to the Remedial Section of the Basseterre Junior High School. Though the transfer came about from less than lofty motives, Mr. Hunkins quickly sought to help these students with the same zeal he applied to every task he did, and some of those very students he helped to rise, were present at his funeral to sing his praises.
Why do we wonder at the culture we have created? Gang warfare has become part of our culture today. Gang members, like some of our politicians, are geared towards rejecting outright those who are not one of them and who challenge them. Our attitudes lie at the heart of our culture and our attitudes are infectious.
Today, yet another positive, outspoken, forthright young man has taken Hillery’s place and risen to be President of the St. Kitts Teachers Union. Like Hillery, he is admired among the teaching fraternity for “his positive, Godly attitude towards the things of life”. Like Hillery, he faces similar challenges as he serves because of his forthright, outspoken nature. As Bishop Collins takes up the mantle of Hillery Hunkins in the teaching fraternity, let us this time around “take care not to hurry past the richness that is already here”. (Ralph Marston) There is much we can learn as we reflect on the passing Hillery Hunkins – if we wish to.
We send sincere condolences to the entire family of Hillery Hunkins. May you find comfort in the precious memories of him that will never die.
