I deem it a great honour to be President of this Club with its enviable record of service in this country. I stand on the shoulders of many Past Presidents and Club members who have so ably demonstrated Rotary’s motto of Service above self in their various endeavours. But where did all this begin for me? The journey which led me to this place began without me even realising it because caring for others was a natural part of everyday living. My exposure to selfless service was nurtured by my Paternal grandmother, a primary school principal who was benevolent to a fault. Interestingly, in my early years, I decided that I was never going to follow in her footsteps because I found some people to be ungrateful. As I matured, I found myself walking in her shoes as I realised that helping others was not about me. People’s gratitude, though important to some of us, cannot be the ultimate reason for serving others. We give service because we want to help our community, change people’s lives and leave the world a better place than we found it.
I am involved with several philanthropic ventures, but my preferred platform for changing lives is through Rotary, with its strong record of distinguished service. My introduction to Rotary began during my university years when I would attend meetings with my Grandfather, the late Ricky Richardson, who was a member of this club. The meetings were engaging, and he made it his duty to inform me of several of the club’s projects and how they impacted people’s lives. I was invited to join the club after his passing by PAG Judy Hylton, and I can say it has been a most fulfilling journey. Having served in several positions during my tenure in the club, I started to feel a little pressure from some members about moving forward to take on the role of President. I dodged this responsibility for a while because I felt that the time was not right, as my personal circumstances would not allow me to serve in the way I desired. Each time I thought of the role, there was always something that deterred me. I prayed about the decision, and then I decided to move ahead because there is always “something” in this journey called “life”. We just have to learn how best to navigate the challenges which are sure to arise.
Over the last 2 years, the Club’s major project has been a Literacy Project at the Allman Town Primary School. Over the period, we have impacted the lives of over 50 children and their parents. We have seen the transformation of children whose self-esteem was so low that they could not even make eye contact, to children who could now read in front of an audience. We have witnessed tears of joy from both students and their parents. One can never put a dollar value on the warmth it brings to one's heart to see even some small improvement in a child. This kind of project is not short-term, and I have decided to continue with the engagement. Each year we assess and try to improve on areas which we deem to be in need of correction. This year will be no different. Having worked with some of the children, we recognise that there is a need for further testing for some children, as there may be learning challenges which might need a different kind of professional approach to address. We will also be getting other kinds of volunteers involved, some of whom will address other issues with which these children grapple, such as conflict resolution. Parents in the community were engaged in financial literacy last year; this will continue along with additional efforts to engage community members who are literate to be their brothers and sisters' keepers by assisting children in the community with reading. The club is currently developing a proposal aimed at identifying all the possible linkages with the literacy project to share with our potential partners.
The numerous potential projects which have arisen from the literacy project cannot be achieved in 1 year, nor can a project with this potentially life-changing impact be limited to 1 school only. Literacy is too much of a chronic widespread issue across this nation, and in the true Rotary spirit of partnering with others, we will be encouraging other clubs and interest groups locally and internationally to come on board. Given our high crime rates and the known link between illiteracy and criminal activity, we believe that this should be an area of priority for everyone. What better way to demonstrate Rotary International’s theme of “Unite For Good” and that of our districts, which encourages us to “Recognise Needs, Transform Lives”. My team is energised and ready to continue the journey.
While the major project is recognised as the club’s flagship project, there are other ventures with which we will be engaged throughout the year. Accordingly, members of our club have been placed in numerous committees aimed not only at achieving district goals but also at energising and motivating. We aim to make members happy while they serve.
If the support given in preparing for this installation banquet is anything to go by, then I believe that this will be a phenomenal year. My all-female committee, comprised of an excellent mix of age, experience and personalities, made this event happen with their input in many ways. Thanks to PAG’s Judy and Marie, PP’s Ammesha and Jemelia and Rotarians Minna and Sherika. Not to be forgotten are my generous sponsors, who I will classify as the fuel which kept the Engine going. They are Sterling Asset Management, Airports Authority, Hylton & Hylton, Baker Tilly, Jakes, Grand Palladium Hotel, Pegasus Hotel and members of the Rotary Club of St. Andrew.
I also consider all attendees at this function to be contributors in their own right, and we will be reaching out to many of you for continued support as we launch other activities to assist our ventures throughout the year.
Once again, I humbly thank the Rotary Club of St. Andrew for the confidence placed in me .
President Sonia Nicholson
2025-2026
