Charlestown, Nevis (May 14, 2007)
Nevisian Mrs. Marjorie Liburd Brandy, was honoured by the government of France through the Alliance Française St. Kitts and Nevis, on Saturday May 12, 2007, in a ceremony attended by Premier of Nevis the Hon. Joseph Parry and Deputy Premier the Hon. Hensley Daniel, at the Old Manor Hotel in Gingerland.
Mrs. Brandy, who heads the Modern Languages Department at the Charlestown Secondary School (CSS), was on behalf of the Prime Minister of France declared Knight in the Order of the Academic Palm, by Madame Michelle Sauteraud, Ambassador of France to the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS).
Mrs Brandy received the award for her distinguished work in the promotion of good relations between France and Nevis and for the promotion of the French language as a teacher and an active member of the St. Kitts Nevis Alliance Française Nevis Branch.
“This award, demonstrates the gratitude of France, for your great qualities and the esteem in which you are held for your involvement which began some 20 years ago when you began your teaching career. It is people like you who enliven the friendship that exists between St. Kitts Nevis and France, a friendship though long standing, remains dynamic and lively and you are a true example of this.
“I wish to thank you on my own behalf and on behalf of the French community in St. Kitts and Nevis for your work and profound dedication in the promotion of the French language and cultural diversity. It is therefore with the greatest pleasure that I will present you with a declaration, proof of the high regard in which the French government holds you,” Madame Sauteraud said.According to the French Ambassador, Mrs. Brandy role at the CSS was a dual objective and as such a dual asset. It had allowed her to strengthen the programmes of French in Nevis with the introduction of the Dell, an examination set in France which gave validation to the competencies of the students in Nevis.
Those who received that diploma, which is recognised by the authorities in Europe, had found it easier to gain access to higher French education such as that offered in Guadeloupe and Martinique at universities in technical and professional schools.
Secondly she said the role also gave greater emphasis to the meaning of Francophone, which dealt with the preservation and promotion of all languages. She explained that language was a vehicle for all cultures since it formed part of the human heritage and was necessary for the exchange of ideas, mutual understanding and respect.
The French Ambassador noted Mrs. Brandy’s active membership in the Alliance Française and within the framework of her responsibilities and actions, she had been able to strengthen the bonds of friendship between France and St, Kitts and Nevis, which had existed for some time.
Meantime, Mr. Ashley Farrell Cabinet Secretary in the NIA during remarks referred to Mrs Brandy as an unsung hero who hailed from Gingerland and had risen to excel in the field of academia.
“Here we have an individual who does not boast about being bright rather in spite of her intellectual capacity she is the epitome of humility.
“No longer must Marjory be an unsung hero, tonight and hereafter we should recognise this champion educator, this trailblazer, this pioneer this strong willed good humoured hard working, highly adaptable and persistent individual,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the NIA, Mr. Farrell thanked the Alliance Française St. Kitts and Nevis through Ms. Rita Schneider the organisation’s sitting Director for ensuring there was a physical presence on Nevis, a gesture he referred to as being a demonstration of inclusion. He also thanked former Director Mr. Brenard Schneider for his pioneering efforts with the establishment of the Nevis Branch.
He thanked Ambassador Sauteraud and asked her to convey to her government the NIA’s profound thanks, as it looked forward to continued good relations between the people of France and the Nevisian people, as they exchanged language and cultural experiences.
In response, an elated Mrs. Brandy thanked the government of France for having bestowed such a prestigious award on her, the Alliance Française St. Kitts Nevis and the NIA.
The Hon. Hensley Daniel raised a toast in Mrs. Brandy’s honour while Premier Parry raised a toast to France. Ms. Dianne Hobson presented Mrs Brandy with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the CSS Modern Languages Department and the NIA. The ceremony was chaired by Ms. Clarita Richards, President of a committee which oversees the work of the Alliance Française in the Federation and Mrs. Angels Scarborough gave the Vote of Thanks.
Also present at the ceremony was Deputy Governor General His Honour Mr. Eustace John and Mrs John, Mrs. Myrtlyn Parry and Mrs. Sonita Daniel, NIA Advisors Mrs. Christine Springette, Mr. Alistair Yearwood and Mrs Patsy Hanley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr. Joseph Wiltshire and Mrs Wiltshire, other educators, family and friends.