The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

THE Bahamas is a distinctly unique country and the settlements that make up the islands and cays are unique in themselves. This makes the Bahamas such an attractive country. The variety you experience from settlement to settlement makes it a never-ending, invigorating experience for all who dare to explore our diverse archipelago.

The settlement of Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, is a humble one, but one that has held its own in the history and development of the Bahamas. The community spirit is so strong that it has kept the people united despite the many hardships that this community faces.

Eight Mile Rock may have once just been a peace of the Bahama rock, but the investment of the many parents in the community is paying off as we see more and more young people coming out of this settlement to achieve greatness.

No one may have expected to hear the name of the little western settlement in Grand Bahama ringing off in international arenas, all over the news media, before Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield made his grand entrance to the NBA. Google has probably received more enquiries about this little place since Buddy fever began. But he is just the icing on the cake.

Jonquel Jones has made her Eight Mile Rock neighbours proud as she shows off her prowess in the WNBA and no less than Buddy, getting drafted sixth in the very first round. She accomplished this just before Buddy did, making her the first Bahamian ever to reach such a high ranking.

Yes, the Bahamas is proud. But the settlement of Eight Mile Rock is even more proud, because their children, many of whom come from very humble backgrounds, are showing the world their true class and patriotism.

Donald Thomas just claimed a high jump victory on the international stage, mentioning the inspiration he received from his 97-year-old grandfather from where else - Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama. He is now representing his country at the Olympic Games in Brazil.

With these laurels to stand upon, the residents of Eight Mile Rock are more hopeful than ever that they will be paid attention to. After all, their national worth is evident in the success of its young people.

The West Grand Bahama Youth Organisation recently held its awards ceremony, displaying the many bright stars that are shining from settlements like Eight Mile Rock and surrounding areas.

Having grown up in Eight Mile Rock, and achieving the success I have today, I can attest to the fact that if given an opportunity, a child will rise to the occasion, regardless of background, as long as they really want it and have the support to fulfil their dreams.

There is a wealth of knowledge and skill sitting in Eight Mile Rock just waiting to be harnessed for the good of this country. Because of a lack of opportunity, too often we see dreams go to waste. We don’t want out young men idle on the blocks with no job opportunities. We want our young men who may have had a run-in with the law because of their lack of opportunities and idle time to be given a second chance to renew their lives.

We want our young single mothers to have an opportunity to feed themselves and their children, and also re-educate themselves in order to reach higher standards.

This is what the people of Eight Mile Rock have proved that they deserve. We are a patriotic people. We are a proud and resilient people. Our community is made up not only of first generation Bahamians, but also second and third generation Bahamians with Jamaican, Turks and Caicos, and Haitian descent. In our unique position, we learn to unite on our common grounds in order to try to make a positive impact in this country.

It is important for Eight Mile Rock to be represented by the people who played in the streets and picked the native fruit together. People who know and understand the unique struggle of this settlement, yet are confident in its mammoth potential.

I congratulate our outstanding young people who are making Eight Mile Rock shine as bright as the Bahamian sun this year. We are indeed the most popular settlement in all of the Bahamas on the international stage right now. We are ready for our growth and progress, but we call on those with the authority to stand up and recognize who we are, and invest in our bright future.

JOSHUA C FORBES, AA, GDLP.

August 10, 2016