Local contractor Vernon Challenger of Challenger’s Enterprises Ltd. has been awarded the contract for the first phase of the Wa’omoni Cottages, Barbuda Hurricane relief project. The project is being funded by the Calvin Ayre Foundation, in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation.
The two Foundations announced the partnership in January, 2020, with CAF significantly contributing US$1M to the initiative, intended to provide resilient homes for families left homeless as a result of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the partners on Wednesday, May 20 at Government House, to move the Barbuda housing relief initiative to the next stage.
“Challenger’s Enterprises Ltd. is pleased to be associated with the Wa’omoni Cottages project and The Prince’s Foundation. We are also delighted to be working (again) with The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF), which has a proven track record of community-building and excellence,” said Vernon Challenger, Managing Director of Challenger’s Enterprises Ltd. “The project takes on added significance, not only because of the positive impact for the housing stock on Barbuda, but also because during the dislocation caused by Covid-19, where each of us in our own small corner must play a part, it will be a net positive for the country.”
In response to the US$1M donation by CAF, Challenger, added, “This is money that will go directly into the economy via the workers, who will come from both islands, and through the procurement of goods and services from local providers.”
The local contractor travelled to Barbuda last Wednesday to officially meet with the Barbuda Council, which has been closely involved in the development of the initiative, identifying land that was cleared and surveyed in January, in preparation for construction.
“The Barbuda Council and the people of Barbuda are delighted, with much excitement, to know that we are shifting gears towards breaking ground for the Wa’omoni Cottages shortly” said Calsey Beazer, Chairperson of the Barbuda Council.
Chairman of CAF, Ambassador Calvin Ayre, said, that with the current Covid-19 climate, his Foundation could have adopted a wait-and-see approach until the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic had passed. “We feel,” Ayre said, “that this project is important in supporting the recovery of the local economy, and we are keen to help it press forward as soon as possible.”
Jeremy Cross of The Prince’s Foundation, who visited Antigua and Barbuda in January to help advance the plans, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, The Barbuda Council and our key partners to ensure that Barbuda gets much-needed homes that are resilient, sustainable and appropriate for Barbuda. With the extremely generous support that CAF has committed to the project, as well as other partners including the Halo Foundation, it is exciting that work will now soon start on site. ”
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Sen. Knacyntar Nedd, also expressed similar sentiments.
“I know many Barbudans are looking forward to seeing this Prince’s Foundation/Calvin Ayre Foundation housing project come to fruition. It will provide much meaningful employment for contractors and tradesmen. It also means that homeowners in Barbuda who were not able to rebuild after Hurricane Irma, will have the opportunity to get a hurricane-resilient home for them and their families.”
The Prince’s Foundation’s support to Barbuda follows a visit to the twin-island state by charity president HRH The Prince of Wales following the 2017 disaster. Having seen the desolation first-hand, The Prince’s Foundation wanted to help rebuild in a way that ensures housing is resilient in the face of future climate challenges.
The Calvin Ayre Foundation, well known for a range of philanthropic activity and support in Antigua and Barbuda and beyond, was also keen to find a way to respond to the housing needs of the people of Barbuda, supplying funding and technical support to the design and construction of the houses.
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Notes From A Native Son of The Rock! “You cannot infer, from the patience and humiliation of our fellow-citizens, that they are naturally prone to servitude. Such an abominable imputation derives its source only from the narrow minds and crooked logic of courtiers.” – Henry Redhead York. 18th Century African Barbudan Journeyman on his journey from English Whig to Radical Abolitionist, “Thoughts on Civil Government!”
Congrats to Mr. Vernon Challenger and all of the visionary and dedicated Staff at Challenger’s Enterprises Ltd! “Don’t dismiss the synchronicity of what is happening right now finding its way to your life at just this moment. There are no coincidences in the universe, only convergences of will, intent, and experience.” – Neale Donald Walsh!
In this the International decade for People of African descent 2015 – 2024, many, naysayers and nattering nabobs of negativity, dismissed the Member from St. Phillips South, who cloaked in his newly tailored Ministerial Robes issued the challenge to the North Atlantic Buccaneers & Privateers, Arab Traders and Asian Silk Road Spice Merchants to recognize that the Coromantees were coming again from the Sherkerley Mountains! He was ridiculed! He was pilloried! He was place on the Rack! He was placed in the Stocks! He was tarred and feathered with Hot Mix Asphalt! He learned! He Laughed! He Laughed Last! He Laughed Best!
This mere voice in the wilderness kibbutzed, heard and witnessed the Maroon’s strategic and tactical procurement imperatives in September 2018 as the immortal words below were repeated in the deepest tones reminiscent of VCB on Parliament Drive as one by one the ecology was being structured,and sculptured with Pyramids by the sons of Kush and Nubia: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans (Antiguans & Barbudans), born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty (Égalité, Fraternité, Peace, Order and Good Governance to advance “Entrepreneurial Socialism”).” – John F. Kennedy!
Long Live Choku! Long Live Hannibal! Long Live Tackey! Long Live Klass! Long Live the Coromantees and Maroons of the Sherkerley Mountains!
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