NEMBHARD
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHEN WILFRED Nembhard learnt he had been chosen as the 2005 Governor General's Achievement awardee for St. Elizabeth, he was overwhelmed with pleasure, though a bit surprised.
"I felt honoured, elated that my parishioners have expressed such confidence in me and have seen it fit to honour me," Mr. Nembhard said. "Fifty per cent of my time goes into voluntary and social work."
Born in St. Elizabeth on April 26, 1948, the high-spirited Mr. Nembhard said that life was 'tough' as a young boy, and was compounded by the loss of his father at the tender age of six. Because of this, he spent a great deal of time assisting his mother on her farm.
"I had to grow up overnight, 'force ripe'," Mr. Nembhard recalled, laughing. "My brothers and I had to walk two miles to milk the cows and put them out to pasture in the mornings before school. We had to help because my mother was alone at the time. We had to run all the way. But looking back it was challenging, but thrilling."
Mr. Nembhard, who is also a Justice of the Peace, acquired his primary education at the Geneva and Mountainside Primary schools.
STUDIES
In 1962, he was awarded a scholarship to Stratford High School in Kingston.
He later studied banking through a correspondence course with London's Rapid Results College, and also achieved qualification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the La Salle University, as well as a bachelor's degree in integrated planning and environmental development from the University of Technology.
Currently, he is pursuing doctoral studies in leadership at the Northern Caribbean University which he describes as a tremendous experience.
Mr. Nembhard is married to Leonie and is the father of three children. Like every upstanding citizen, he lives along certain guidelines.
KEY ROLE
He played a key role in the building of the Santa Cruz Community Centre and basic school, and also served as board chairman and director of several schools, including Hampton High, St. Elizabeth Technical, Elim Agricultural, Leeds and Santa Cruz Schools.
He has also excelled in his role as a Rotarian, for which he has been made a Paul Harris Fellow. He is also well-known for his support of the Park Mountain/Good Hope Environmental Project, which includes the construction and reforestation of the Santa Cruz mountain range.
- C.G
