On Friday December 14^th, 2018, the Grow Well Golf committee, held the annual prize giving ceremony where the young golfers are recognized for their hard work and discipline.   

The Grow Well Golf programme has a number of sponsors and benefactors and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers headed by Mrs. Colleen Newman.  As with all things that Grow Well is involved with, it is not just about learning to play golf.  The volunteers instill a sense of self worth and discipline in the young golfers.  Trainees are assessed on their academic effort as well as their improvement in their golf.

The Rotary Club of Gros Islet founded Grow Well back in 1995 and the program has expanded and grown stronger as it became truly a community based project.  Rotary Gros Islet continues to have a Trustee on the board and provides monetary assistance.  The centre of operation is the old Convent building opposite the Gros Islet Catholic Church, which Rotary Gros Islet renovated in 1995 through a Grant from the Rotary Foundation.

To kick off the ceremony, the coaches, Paul Cooper and Regis Gustave had the trainees demonstrate their drives.  Those in the Green shirts are the most proficient golfers and they are truly impressive.

In addressing the gathering, Mrs. Newman remembered Past President Jonathan Everett, saying that he is sorely missed by all of Grow Well.

Tribute from Grow Well Golf

On Wednesday, December 5^th, 2018, members of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet handed over a mobile dental unit to the Department of Health and Wellness.  At a brief ceremony at The Boys Training Centre at Massade, Gros Islet, where the unit will be located initially, Past President Matt Render, who is the current Rotary Foundation Chair for the Rotary Club of Gros Islet, officially handed the unit over to Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator, the Honourable Mary Isaac and Dr. Sherry Ephraim-LeCompte, Senior Dental Surgeon.  The hand over was attended by Mr. Wang Sonson, Manager of the Boys’ Training Centre, staff and trainees.  Also in attendance were members of the Government Information Service, Hot FM Television, and DBS. 

Past President Matt said that the unit was purchased through a District Grant which meant that the money came from The Rotary Foundation.  This unit replaces a mobile unit that Rotary Gros Islet had purchased through an earlier Grant, but which had been destroyed by floods some years earlier.  The Foundation is funded by Rotarians worldwide and Rotary Gros Islet has received Grants from the Foundation well in excess of what Local Rotarians have contributed. 

Past President Matt cited the last major project which was a 150,000-gallon water tank at Plateau Babonneau which currently provides water to approximately six thousand persons in the surrounding area.  The value of this project exceeded $500,000 with Rotary in the District funding a mere $15,000 approximately, the remainder coming from Rotary in Florida/Georgia USA, and the Rotary Foundation.

Minister Isaac for her part expressed the gratitude of her government for the support that Rotary has provided to the communities in Saint Lucia and in particular for this latest donation valued at US$9,000.

The mobile dental unit allows the Department of Health and Wellness to deploy dental technicians to schools in the North and carry out preventative procedures to promote good dental health.  In the past, the deployment of the earlier unit, assisted the Health Services to reduce the incidence of cavities in school children significantly.  The Rotary Club of Gros islet also paid for the dental treatments out of its’ own resourses.