His Excellency The Governor, Mr. Duncan Taylor was joined by the Premier, Hon McKeeva Bush and other members of Cabinet, at the Sunrise Adult Training Centre in West Bay, for the Centre’s 25th Anniversary.

It was also a chance for the Centre’s new Director, Shari Smith, who took over from the previous Director, Roberta Gordon in August this year, to show the ministers around.

Established in 1986, the Centre provides opportunities for adults with disabilities to become productive members of the community.

Premier McKeeva Bush spoke about the beginnings of Sunrise Adult Training Centre and the Lighthouse School in West Bay’s Boatswains Bay Presbyterian church. He remembered the churches then-pastor, the Reverend Shepherd: “It was his idea, that’s where it came from,” Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Bush then acknowledged the countless other people who had helped both the Lighthouse School and the Sunrise Centre through the years “We do have a lot of people to be thankful for,” he said.

Governor Taylor said:  “I have a direct personal interest because, my son Max who has serious learning difficulties.

“It think its great there is this facility here, so it’s a pleasure to be here today for the 25th Anniversary.”

The new Director, Shari Smith said: “We will celebrate this huge milestone of 25 years, as we build on what has already been created. I hope that the Centre will become a shining star throughout the region.”

Ms Smith then took the ministers on a tour of the different areas in the facility, including the lounge, a life skills training area, and a literary basic skills area, along with the vocational and occupational therapy and fitness rooms.

In the Life Skills Adaptive Learning Specialist Brigitte Conolly was showing the Centre’s clients a chart of wholesome and nutritional foods.  In the occupational therapy room, the Governor met Kayla Bothwell, who was busy learning new computer skills, and her care giver
Claudette Woolary.

Ministers also had a chance to talk to several people who were key to helping to establish the facility. Among them was Creswell Powery and his wife, Kay Powery who first approached Benson Ebanks, who at that time was Minister of Education, to provide facilities for children with learning difficulties.  Mr. Ebanks responded by helping to establish the lighthouse school within the Boatswains Bay Presbyterian Church hall. “It was called the Lighthouse School because the building was next to a lighthouse, on a hill,” Mr Powery said.

[nggallery id=195]