Sister Lucy Gabriel outside her school Sister Lucy Gabriel with Sue Sotheran

In 2005 the Rotary Club of of Guisborough & Great Ayton (D-1030 in north-east England) supported a project run by the RC of Grenada East to restore the library at a hurricane damaged school on the Caribbean spice island.

In conversation with Sister Lucy Gabriel, the Head Teacher of the 500 pupil school, Peter Sotheran leanred that the schools entire supply of musical instruments had been destroyed or lost in the storms of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. Music had always been a strong tradition in the church based school and without any instruments they were struggling to re-establish the music classes.

"The island government's funds are fully committed to restoring the rooves over our heads. We must use our own best endavours to replace the day to day things that we need," said Sister Lucy.

Another UK Club, in Kenliworth has a connection with Grenada having hosted a Cable & Wireless employee during his secondment to the UK. On hearing of the need, they offered to combine resources with the Guisborough & Great Ayton Club. Together they are providing a mixture of specific books for the school library and basic set of musical instruments. The intention is purchase as much as possible on the island in order to inject a little cash into the struggling local economy.

The International Fellowship or Rotarian Music makers (IFRM) was looking for a project to support and has donated $2500 towards the purchase of musical instruments. An appeal for musical recorders, always a popular instrument with school children in the local press brought in a score of instruments that have been refurbished and will be presented to the school. The handover takesplace in January 2007, when Rtn. Peter and his wife Sue plan to visit the holiday island.

A simple little project has drawn together Clubs and a world-wide Rotary Fellowship to provide essential equipment for a school in need.

"Thank you for your interest and for honoring your promise to assist with our needs. May God richly reward you," writes Sister Lucy.

Peter Sotheran