ARAWAKROOTS NEWS
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY NEWS
VOL. 7 #2
MAY, 2009
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS-4/7/09)- A
memorial of flowers, brooms and a prayer mat in Mandela Circle
honors the life and memory of Dale Rogers- known to most people
as Bakimba- the man who spent nearly every day of the last 20
years sweeping the streets, picking up trash and transforming sim-
ple patches of dirt into works of art. Not everyone knew his name,
but everyone knew who he was. The instantly recognizable sight of
the slim, bearded man- broom in hand- tirelessly cleaning the streets
of St. Thomas was a daily event in many lives.
In his earlier years, he was a landscaper with the Dept.of Agriculture
and Gov. Cyril King used to personally call Bakimba to do the
grounds of Government House for big events with his trademark de-
signs and artistry. He was also a facilities manager at the Knud
Hansen Hospital, where he designed the landscaping.
In 1983 he was in a car accident that left him partially paralyzed and
in a coma for months. It was months before he was able to walk
again, shuffling along with help. Not long after that, he was sweep-
ing the house, only able to use 1 arm. It was his therapy. As he re-
gained his strength, he expanded his sweeping to the area around
Oswald Harris Court where he lived, and eventually to the entire
Estate Thomas area.
While most simply knew Bakimba as the man who swept Mandela
Circle, he was much more than that to his family and friends:
"People never felt sorry for him. They just knew there was some-
thing special about him", said Bakimba's daughter Damali. "The
Sweeper was just part of being a Muslim. He always used to say,
'cleanliness is close to godliness' ".
"He's such the epitome of a community person", said 1 St. Thomas
resident. "I admired him very much. I feel very sad for us as a com-
munity. Nobody's going to forget him"
ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS-3/12/09)- They gave Lionel Roberts Stadium a brand new coat of paint. They cleaned beaches. They spruced up schools across the island- painting, landscaping and adding mulch to playgrounds. And they painted and did some landscaping at a homeless shelter, a home for developmentally-challenged adults, and a senior citizen center.
Approximately 500 employees of Novo Nordisk disembarked from the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship and spread out across the island with a single purpose in mind- doing community service work. Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company that specializes in products to treat diabetes and hemophilia, recently awarded the VI government a 3-year grant to promote diabetes awareness and prevention in the territory.
At the stadium, Novo Nordisk also presented the Dept. of Human Services with 200 duffel bags- filled with pajamas, toiletries, school supplies, cameras and photo albums- for local foster children. At Sibilly Elementary School, the volunteers painted tables and playground equipment, put in new planters, added mulch to the playground- and then lunched with students in the cafeteria. After lunch, they joined students in a phys-ed class and played games with them.
ST. JOHN, USVI (STJ SUN TIMES-4/16/09)- St. John artist Livy Hitchcock has spent the last 10 years using her art to help heal the wounds left by the April 1999 shootings in Columbine, Colorado. In the days after the tragedy, Hitchcock resolved to help the survivors, the families of the 13 children who lost their lives in the attack. An artist since the age of 5, she put her skills as a portrait painter to use, reaching out to the families and offering to paint a portrait of the one they'd lost. A simple enough premise, but her offer of solace through art has grown into much more.
Now, a decade since the massacre, Hitchcock has completed portraits for 10 of the students. Each one is deeply personal, based both on photos of the student and on Hitchcock's interactions with the families. Each painting contains a portrait within a portrait. "Each portrait is done with the student as a young adult...combined with a young version of them and painted in a way that celebrates something unique about that particular child", said Hitchcock. She says the portraits she's completed have meant a great deal to the parents- "They say that they'll never forget what I did."
She may soon have some help in finding the remaining family members. Hitchcock was recently contacted by the therapist of one the first reporters to arrive at the high school on April 20, 1999, who is now suffering from Post Traunatic Stress Disorder. The therapist has encouraged him to help with Hitchcock's project as part of his therapy. However, Hichcock says, "It has to be the impetus of the parents. I'm also aware that even 10 years is not enough time for some people."
Livy Hitchcock.
She has just begun illustrating an allegorical book written by Dawn Anna, mother of Columbine victim, Laura Townsend. Hitchcock said, "I'll never really be done, in terms of how it has impacted my life".
ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS-4/23/09)- Ursula Krigger- known by many as "Aunt Sula"- turned 107 years old and is still sharp as a tack. She was born in St. Thomas on April 22, 1902 and still lives in the Neltjberg home she and her 7 siblings grew up in.
"Thank God for life", Aunt Sula said. "I feel so blessed." Despite the fact that she is completely blind from glaucoma and cannot leave her house, her state of mind, personality and spirit are as clear as ever.
Ms. Krigger experienced the events and changes in the Virgin Islands most only know from books including the transfer from Danish to U.S. rule in 1917, the granting of U.S citizenship in 1927 and the election of the first Virgin Islands governor in 1970. She was 15 during the transfer and didn't fully understand the significance of the event. "I didn't know what had happened", she said. "I just saw old Danish people cry when they pulled down the Danish flag and put up the American flag."
She said that back then people were well-behaved and polite to each other. "There was no money, but still we got along nicely."
ST. JOHN, USVI (STJ TRADEWINDS-3/1/09)- Due to the success of this year's St. John Arts Festival, it was extended 2 extra days in Franklin Powell Park in Cruz Bay. The event was concluded on its final day with a concert by reggae favorites Inner Visions and prizes to applaud exhibitors who supported the "Caribbean-made" theme in their dress and their exhibits as well as attending the full 5-day event.
First prize went to Sonia Sprauve. Two second prizes was awarded to Shenoi Bunge and Karen Mandelbaum/Sally Bolhous. Three 3rd prizes were awarded to Nzeeba Rabsatt, Alton Adams and Shirley & Laurie Gallagher.
Nzeeba Rabsatt.
ST. JOHN, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS-4/15/09)- It was a fresh beginning for a well-used structure. The site of the former Horace Mann Building, which was recently used as the John Folly Learning Institute is now the home of the St. John Montessori School.
"It is my pleasure to come home', stated renowned St. John educator Guy Benjamin, who taught at the Horace Mann School many years ago. "This was my first teaching position where I was boss."
The center, which teaches students from ages 2 1/2 to 5, will provide education to to those particularly at the east end of St. John where options are few.
ST. JOHN, USVI (STJ TRADEWINDS-3/16/09)- Celebrating Our Sons And Daughters Of Music, an event sponsored by the VI Culture Heritage Institute and the Council on the Arts, honored two St. John musicians who have dedicated their lives to the art.
Phillip "Grasshopper" Pickering, a founding member of the acclaimed reggae band INNER VISIONS, was fascinated with music at an early age. Following a stint in the military and collaborating in the band PROPHECY, Pickering settled into the groove which became Inner Visions. Glen Davis of the Cultural Heritage Division said, "Grasshopper's music has a positive influence on the Virgin Islands. It is his ambition to use music to remind mankind that love is the only solution to our social ills."
Growing up on a then sleepy St. John, Godfrey Smalls passed the time playing flute as a small boy in Coral Bay. As he grew up, his musical interest matured as well. By the time he was 17, the self-taught musician was a serious clarinet and saxophone player. Smalls, who still plays with the band he created in 1963- SMALLS & THE MERRYMAKERS- has collaborated with local musical luminaries Jamesie Brewster and The Mighty Groover. Myron Jackson stated, "Godfrey is an integral part of social and cultural activities in the Virgin Islands. His contributions have been recognized before and the St. John tradition bearer continues to give to the community."
This year's musical series is the third annual celebration of local musicians during VI History Month. In creating this year's theme, organizers focused on making historical local music relevant to todays youth.
ST. JOHN, USVI (ARAWAKROOTS NEWS-4/27/09)- Hundreds of people enjoyed an afternoon in the sun at Vie's Campground as the Coral Bay Yacht Club hosted the 12th "Almost Annual" Flotilla benifitting Guy Benjamin Elementary School. The event raised about $9,000 for the small Coral Bay school.
Sails dotted the horizon the day of the event as GBES students enjoyed a cruise on Coral Bay's tall ship "Silver Cloud", thanks to its captain, Elliot Hooper. Many CBYC members also took guests out on the morning sail, which turned into a happy "regatta" with boats firing cannons at each other, and then to the East End beach for a beach party and delicious food provided by local chefs.
"There was a great turn-out of people and boats, glorious hot sunshine accompanied by calm seas and gentle breezes for a leisurely sail", said CBYC's Clare Weaver. "In fact, there was such a good turn-out of school kids, we had to transport them to Vie's on 3 other sailboats besides SILVER CLOUD. It was a hugely successful day which was thoroughly enjoyed by all."
ST. JOHN, USVI (ARAWAKROOTS NEWS-5/1/09)- While most kids were relaxing on the beach during spring break, high school junior Christen Marsh was busy helping to construct a house for under-priviliged families in Guyana. She traveled to the small South American country with the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation(NAPS). The group of 16 stayed at a family's home.
"I had fun", said Ms. Marsh. "We helped build a house for 3 days and then went into the community and talked to the kids and taught them songs." She had plenty of support from St. John residents, many of whom donated funds to help cover her air fare to Guyana.
Christen Marsh(center) & other volunteers.
As Marsh, an honors student who graduated from Guy Benjamin Elementary School, ponders her future another NAPS trip is certainly possible. "I had a really good time and I think it made me a better person", Christen said.
