by Samantha G Dickson, President, Grenada Red Cross Society
The Grenada Red Cross Society started 66 years ago as a result of Hurricane Janet and remained a branch of the British Red Cross until 1987.
On the occasion of the 34th Anniversary of becoming the 145th National Society of the IFRC, I am certainly elated, and very emotional, having been a Red Cross volunteer for 33 of those 34 years! I joined in 1988 as a young teacher and enrolled in April 1989.
I recall energetic days of youth work in school and community, services in Health and safety, disaster management and psychosocial services. I have had the pleasure of serving at every level possible – volunteer, staff, and now governance.
I treasure and appreciate numerous memories: national events and awards, a visit to Queen Sofia (Spain, 2005), the Fiaccolata (Italy, 2005), serving on the Health Commission (2005 to 2009), Caribbean speaker HIV/AIDS Conference (Senegal, 2009), participating in high-level meetings, leading emergency response and recovery activities. I have been there in normal times and difficult times just trying to make a difference. As the second serving president and first female president of the Grenada Red Cross Society (elected in 2018), I am thankful for the opportunity to help the Red Cross “bring hope through humanitarianism in Grenada.”
I thank fellow volunteers, the staff, donors, beneficiaries and partners for without you we could not share these beautiful memories. Happy 34th Anniversary to us all!