The Hospitality Department has been putting on a staff
luncheon each semester, where they can demonstrate their skills, as well as
practice serving. On Tuesday the hospitality class again hosted a luncheon and
this time it included a presentation to our family.
The room and the tables were beautifully decorated with
table cloths and centerpieces. I was so happy to see all the staff, including
a staff member from the school for the deaf who works here occasionally, attending. The
boys were really excited as there was all kinds of food and they were going to
get to be the first table to the buffet!
The meal was an excellent Grenadian fare, fish, chicken,
pelau, and salad. The boys told Brent that the chicken was “much better” than
his. The fish was done in a wonderful pineapple sauce which was fantastic.
For entertainment a young man sang two calypso songs.
Calypso originated "next door" in Trinidad and Tobago and is traditionally a style of music that is a form of political/societal criticism. His
songs were excellent about how Grenada was so dependant on the American and
western things of the world. My favourite line was something like we eat so
much Kentucky Fried we are going to fly away!
Sister then got up to speak. She acknowledged that Aiden and Owen had really sacrificed to come to Grenada with me. She thanked Brent for helping
out Mr. James. She noted that curriculum had not existed for the Caribbean
Vocation Qualifications and that the National Training Agency had been given a
quote to develop it of $250,000. So she was a bit sceptical that it would be
possible to do with just one volunteer.
Lucky for me I had no idea that most people thought it was
impossible, I just assumed that it was possible. In the past 10 months I have
created content to match the CVQ competencies for Cosmetology, Hospitality,
Plumbing, Carpentry, General Construction, Early Childhood Development and
Garment Making.
NEWLO presented our
family with this beautiful plaque to thank us for our service. Ms. Collins also
presented us with a gift straight from her heart, and Mr. Gay presented us with
an original piece of art representing NEWLO.
What I appreciated so much was that everything was from the
heart, not a “Hallmark” card or plaque thanking me for “contribution” or “ in appreciation
of” and then using canned words written by someone else. These were written by the
people who really care about me. They reminded me of my colleague Joyce back
home, who writes poems for people, she takes time to be kind and thoughtful.
Looking around the room I felt like I had a connection with
the 20-25 people in the room. I know about their families, have met their
children, they have welcomed me to their homes. They are friends I will miss.
So with ten days left we are starting to pack up our things.
And my most valued treasures from Grenada - are the gifts from NEWLO and the memories of times with friends.
