Galt takes up WAND presidency

The directors who will work with the new president are Gloria Nelson (secretary), Michal Andrews (treasurer), Karen Lee Lum (public relations officer), Jan Bocas Ryan (immediate past president), Mona Khan, Penny Elias, Wendy Voss, Allison Harford and Anna Bonnin.

Associate members are Tamara Khan (chairman), Melissa Pierre (secretary), Christiana Lee (treasurer), Soraya Khan, Petrina Hernandez and Kristin Chiselko.

The final project in an extremely busy year, organised under the outgoing president, was the WAND – Price Philantropies – PriceSmart – Procter & Gamble Foundation School Project Handover Ceremony on January 5, at the YTEPP Building, Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas.

Bocas-Ryan welcomed guests to the event at which items were distributed for 3,200 school children in 13 primary schools which will supplement what they have and assist them over the school term. She stated that “The Wand Foundation is delighted to participate and partner with Price Foundation, PriceSmart and Procter & Gamble to assist the very young in their efforts to earn a good education” The principals and educators present at the distribution received donation letters, which will also be forwarded to those who were unable to attend. The 13 schools include St Crispin’s AC Primary, Princess Elizabeth School for the specially abled, Laventille Boy’s Government Primary, Laventille Girls’ Government Primary, Success Village Girls RC Laventille, D’Abadie Government Primary, Pinehaven SDA , Brothers Road Presbyterian Primary, Charlieville ASJA Primary, Charlieville Presbyterian Primary, La Romaine Government Primary, La Romaine R.C.Primary and San Fernando Methodist Primary.

On the heels of the “handing over “ ceremony, the Board of directors and associate members, at the Annual General Meeting on January 19, elected a new executive committee for the term January 2017-January 2018. Ryan thanked members of the Board “for their tireless work so that our goals could be met and also the many companies and Diplomatic Missions, and individuals who not only work with us but also support our fundraisers and make contributions so that the work of WAND could continue. I also thank our new Associate members for their many contributions.” Bocas-Ryan reflected on the projects and fund-raisers of the past year, which are now vested in “the safe and competent hands of the new president”, such as, the Cascade School for the Deaf funded by the United States Embassy, St Francois Valley Road and Romain Lands Community Centre funded by High Commission for Canada.

Funded by WAND are the St. Martin’s Welfare Association Early Childhood Centre, Paradise Heights Day Care, Belmont Early Childhood Centre and Women’s Transition Home Coora Camp.

The Annual Charity Fund-raising Luncheon, which starts the Christmas festivities, is hosted by WAND and also the Red Carpet Ball Fund-raiser. The Education Project with 14 community centres is funded by Price Philanthropies Foundation, Trinidad Systems Ltd., the University of Trinidad and Tobago and FLO W in collaboration with The Ministry of Community Development, Culture, and the Arts. Primary Schools Project 2017 is being funded by Price Philanthropies Foundation, PriceSmart, Procter & Gamble and Trinidad Systems Ltd. Other Projects on WAND’s radar are Girls Be Heard; Servol Centre; and Community Libraries & Book Drive.

Galt readily accepted the projects for which she will assume responsibility and thanked Ryan for her sterling service as twoterm president and tireless work on behalf of WAND, and offered congratulations for the many achievements during her tenure and a job extremely well done. While she considered it an absolute honour and privilege to stand before members on this special occasion, Galt very firmly said: “Yes, I accept this post for the year January 2017 to January 2018. But a single head achieves nothing so I am counting on your support – Board and associates – to achieve the growth and goals I have been dreaming of for WAND’s continued success.

“This is truly a moment to be honoured and cherished. I accept this appointment with pride and will give my best efforts to make you proud to have selected me. With the grace of God and the co-operation of fellow members, I will devote my time and myself to the obligations and the duties of this post