BASSETERRE St.Kitts September, 30th, 2011 -- On this day September 30, exactly one year ago, Mount Idle, considered the heart of Sandy Point, was busy with gun-toting, Navy-suited police men and women and their half-dozen tinted vans; brimming with spectators who would learn only later of the renaming of their community landmark; buzzing of rumours of some protest waiting in ambush; yet Mount Idle barely spoke a word.

She was grieving at the loss of not only the legacy planted under the banner of the Sandy Point High School but also of the hope that many had in the power of consultative democracy, where consultation takes place before major decisions made. It seems this type of democracy was not invited to the renaming ceremony or, perhaps like many Sandy Pointers, boycotted it.

A year on, I do not wish to relive the disappointment of many past and present students who sought to save the name of the institution that made them. I do not intend to recount the many who met me to speak less than flattering things about the way in which the government went about renaming SPHS, amid cries for wide-spread consultation.

In fact, today I do not even wish to recall the thousands of individuals, groups, businesses and even staff who pleaded for a chance to be consulted. No, that is not my aim. But for as long as the school bears a logo that says anything other than ‘SPHS: Scholastic Perseverance Harvests Success’, I will continue to speak of the importance of community empowerment: the presence of which would have ensured that the tragedy of September 30 never took place or at least not again. These five points I leave for you to ponder:

1. Huge decisions which may result in a long-term cultural or socio-political shift at the community level should be made only after engaging with the people. People are power, and even if they are not perceived to be so, such engagement empowers them.

2. There is no better way to seek community empowerment than to let the communities take ownership of their development. The government should never be seen as an external force imposing its will on a community, rather it should be seen as a partner, and though we may not always agree, there must be a sense of engagement and support.

3. It may seem unrelated that a community seeking consultation on something like a school being renamed is done in the name of democracy. But, think it not strange. For years, I have heard that the government gives voice to the voiceless. Well, in Sandy Point, we challenge that statement, because we have a voice and we can speak clearly, articulately and loudly when necessary. We don’t need to be branded with ‘the voiceless‘.

Perhaps a more suitable expression is giving an amplifier to those with a voice, however small, so that they can inspire and empower many more. This is no new idea, but is without doubt, necessary in order to avoid the inevitable violent vomiting that force-feeding brings.

4.It is hard to suppress a spring without anticipating a counter-spring. In fact, it is this science that Sandy Point is based partly on: a mixture of Pride, Resilience, Excellence and Determination. We have taken this blow to what we thought was our role in a robust democracy and we’ve looked for every opportunity to empower our people otherwise.

Enough praise cannot be brought to the feet of community groups like SPIRIT, SPACS, CIPEO, Sandy Point Benevolent Society and the newly-constituted SPAFA, for in one way or the other providing opportunities for community-based, grassroots projects and events -- initiatives that only Sandy Pointers can take the praise for! This is the lesson behind community empowerment: that it is planted by Sandy Pointers, of course with the undeniable support and nurturing of the government and businesses who continue to believe in community empowerment.

5.Though petitions for consultation failed, in this case, the story of September 30 will hardly be told without a recognition of the efforts made by Sandy Pointers, and certainly members of neighbouring communities, to be actively engaged in democracy. 

I encourage young people to always try. Speak up if you think you are not being listened to  and speak out even if you are told it would not make a difference. Do not be discouraged by opposition, because in many ways it can be used to improve you and your cause.

So, while the novelty of the Department of Constituency Empowerment wanes to non-existence and its original blueprint gathers dust, Sandy Point has been back to the drawing board sketching countless ways of how Sandy Pointers can help Sandy Pointers

I acknowledge and appreciate the work of community builders and I urge the dormant or silent ones to get active! Provide opportunities for children and adults to regain pride in your towns and villages and do not dare wait until your community and what it believes in are threatened.

SPHS: Scholastic Perseverance Harvests Success

I am VonDez Phipps of Sandy Point.

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