GOVERNOR-GENERAL Sir Howard Cooke last month read a proclamation declaring March 21 to 27 as 'Kiwanis Week' in Jamaica in commemoration and celebration of the advent of the Kiwanis Movement in Jamaica in 1964.
The proclamation marked one of the highlights of the visit in Jamaica by Kiwanis Governor Joanne Murray of the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District of Kiwanis International. Governor Murray had paid a courtesy call at King's House on February 24 when the proclamation was read.
STERLING WORK
The Governor-General, who is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston, expressed his appreciation for the sterling work being done by the Kiwanis in Jamaica and worldwide.
After the proclamation was read it was presented to Mr. Christopher Robinson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston, which was the first club chartered by Kiwanis International in Jamaica.
Governor Murray, visited from February 23 to 25 projects being carried out by the 14 clubs in division 23 East, Surrey, Jamaica. She was accompanied on her tour by a party of Kiwanians headed by Lieutenant Governor Kermitt McGann. She fed the residents at the Morant Bay Infirmary, gave an address on hygiene to the children at the St. Martin's Basic School, conducted the installation of officers at the Aktion Club at the Abilities Foundation and broke ground for the construction of a covered walkway at the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf.
A divisional council meeting chaired by the Governor was held during her visit and Mr. Robert Wynter was elected Lt. Governor for the division for the administrative year October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Mrs. Gerthlyn Reid-Holman was elected Lt. Governor Elect for the same period.
The official visit ended with an all clubs dinner meeting at the Hilton Kingston Hotel which was attended by Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie, Mrs. McKenzie and Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle. The Mayor lauded the Kiwanis movement in Jamaica, which is now in its 40th year.
ADMIRATION AND RESPECT
In her address, the Governor spoke of her admiration and respect for the hard work and altruistic service being rendered by the clubs in Division 23 East in improving the quality of life of the young , the elderly, the handicapped and the disadvantaged in the society. She exhorted the Kiwaninas to continue to serve. During the ceremony she inducted 24 Kiwanians into the several clubs in the division.
The Governor, who spent two weeks in the island, visited other divisions in Jamaica.
