President and Sister Robison,
We wanted to send you a copy of this poem that shows how much the
Church is becoming more appreciated in St. Lucia. The Ministry of
Human Services was needing help. They were having a hard time getting
a home functioning properly for abused and abandoned children. They
needed appliances, clothing and etc. so we went there to see if we
could help. We shopped with them and were able to help them purchase
many items. It was so enjoyable for us and they were very
appreciative! None of them seemed to be able to say the name of our
Church correctly so everytime they would say it, we would very
politely, say it the right way. We built a very good relationship
with them and were able to be a part of a container of 250 wheelchairs
that came in this past summer. Everyone was elated with the many
wheelchairs for all ages of people. Then a container of goods came in
and the volume of goods in a 40 foot container overwhelmed them. They
just couldn't believe a Church would do something like this for people
they didn't even know and especially because they weren't even members
of our Church! The excitement was high and they didn't want to have a
Handing Over Ceremony until all the Government and Ministry people
could be in attendance. They emailed us several times expressing
their gratitude and appreciation!!
We noticed while we were there for this ceremony, that not one person
said the name of our Church incorrectly and that made us smile and
feel so good!
Clementia Eugene, Director of Human Services whom we worked with
closely on all three projects, while speaking to everyone at the
ceremony, said she was "inspired" the night before to write a poem
about her feelings. She said she has never written a poem before but
felt strongly to write this one. As she read it, the cameramen
recorded it and it was shown on 2 different T.V. channels for several
days.
This poem was given to us in a very nice frame at the ceremony. A
very nice plaque was given to the Branch President, President D.(I
don't know how to spell his last name) and his wife.
The spelling and language in this poem is exactly how Clementia wrote
it. Thats why we especially love it!! Hope you enjoy it also!
Elder and Sister Tanner
Here it the document from Clementia Eugene:
Ministry of Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, National
Mobilization, Human Services and Gender Relations
Handing Over Ceremony of 40 Feet Container
From The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
OH! FRIENDS OF THE TRANSIT HOME
Children abused, beaten, sexually molested, neglected
Children robbed of dignity and worth
No place to hide to shield their pride
No food to eat, no shoes to wear
No books to read to get in the lead
No parent, no mamma, no papa
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Human Services and family Affairs is de parent of
Vulnerable children
In de land
But have no home to shelter de children
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Financial Sponsors come to our aid
Foster Carers is our saving grace
But not enough Carers for all de children who need our help
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Family Case Workers cry, when are we getting a home for
all de children?
Social Workers frustrated, some resign, some go ‘foreign’
some vex,
Some mad, still they working hard
House and land at Cas En Bas de government purchase
Money not enough to buy furniture and equipment
What are going to do?
Forty letters written to de private sector for help, only one
reply
This home going to be a white elephant
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Then came a call from Dr. Charles, DPS of the Ministry of
Social Transformation
Contact Elder Tanner, Contact Sister Tanner
Make haste, call de Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints
Donation coming our way
In de Conference Room we met on Chaussee Road
Proposal for furniture and equipment submitted
Promised made to help by de Church
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Next, Mrs. Lewis and Ms. Eugene at Courts shopping with de
Church
WE buy Big Fridge, Big Stove, Big Washing Machine and
lots more
We looking big
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
June came, 250 Wheel Chairs we get
Some small, some medium, some large
All de disabled can go places now, church and school
Even the hospitals, homes for older persons glad, they have
wheel chair to push around
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
August came, another container 40 feet long arrive at the
docks
Bedding
Clothes for men, women and children
Shoes, all colours, all sizes, all styles
Hygiene kits, newborn kits, school kits, toys galour
Even milk to make us strong and healthy
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
All this cost US $81,546.25 = EC$221,552.30
And all this weight 27,481 lbs
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
We glad, we thrilled, we excited
We appreciated
Thank you
For your
Generosity and thoughtfulness
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
Tell your friends in Utah, in USA, and everywhere, thank you
Thank you for those who gave, who went shopping, who
packed the boxes, sewed the bags with so much love to
overwhelm us
Lives of many; children, men, women, youth, families and
communities, you touched
Lives of de unborn who will one day come to de Transit
Home, you will even touch
Be our friends forever
Oh! Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Oh! Friends of the Transit Home
By Clementia Eugene
Director of Human Services and Family Affairs
26th September 2008
Elder Tanner and President Debeauville (Castries, St Lucia Branch President)
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