Proud of Papa Bella!

This post is all about my parents! Most specifically – my dad.

I’ve written about my mom quite a few times here, but not as much about my dad. Some of you may recognize his regular comments on this here blog, but let me tell you about him.

My dad isn’t one to rest on his laurels. He has always been one who seeks self improvement. He sets out to achieve greatness. He loves to have a good time, but understands that hard work is necessary before you can enjoy the fruits of your labors. He is a big believer in diligence, persistence, and achieving goals.

His work ethic seemed to elude me for years…until I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. Now I realize that it’s because of my dad that I have the inspiration and mental fortitude that I needed to become Afrobella.

When my dad retired, he could have just settled into a life of leisure. Instead, he became involved with the globally recognized charity group – Rotary International. And just like with everything else he does, he has thrown himself wholeheartedly into the organization. I am SO proud of my dad – he just took the position of the new Rotary Club President! The photo above is of my dad visiting the Rotary Club headquarters in Evanston, IL. He is standing proudly next to a wall of photos of all the past Rotary Club presidents in the USA.

Now instead of taking up golf or lounging by a pool, he’s going to conferences in foreign countries and spearheading initiatives to help children in need. And on his behalf, I’m reaching out to generous Afrobella readers who may be able to help!

One of my dad’s first acts of office was to implement a new project aimed at 75 primary schools in Trinidad’s capital. I’ll allow him to explain:

“The theme of “healthy minds and bodies for the future” was meant to literally find alternatives for our young people between the ages of 5 and 12 that would enhance their thinking skills and get them to appreciate the importance of healthy exercise from an early age.

By engaging in board games such as Scrabble and Chess, the hope is that they will develop some fundamental values and principles, which will prove useful in their teenage years, when they may be vulnerable to pulls and tugs from all different directions.”

Basically, my dad has created a program for kids like me, who just aren’t cut out for sports. He wants to initiate clubs in 75 primary schools where children can compete in different games, so that non-athletic kids can also be winners.

“I want every child to win something at school so that he or she can tell their grandchildren about it. Self esteem and self confidence are critical for the proper development of children and by voluntarily participating in an activity and winning something, these qualities will emerge.

So your whole Afrobella family on line, on twitter, facebook or wherever they may be, can come on board by helping my club, the Rotary Club of Port of Spain, accumulate the required items to make this initiative a reality.

We will be open to donations of:

Scrabble games
dictionaries
Chess boards
Table tennis boards and the nets etc
jump ropes
Hula hoops

All items can sent to :

The Rotary Club of Port of Spain

c/o IIHHD,

Princess Elizabeth Centre

101-103 Ariapita Avenue

Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago.

So there you have it. If you’ve got the wherewithal to donate some of the aforementioned items to
The Rotary Club of Port of Spain, please make a donation! And let my dad know you read about it on Afrobella!

I’m SO proud of you Dad. I hope this project – and all the projects you spearhead – are enormously successful for Rotary and for the children who will participate!