Cable And Wireless Helps In A Big Way

On Tuesday February 19, I attended a press briefing at Cable and Wireless Anguilla in which they once again agreed to provide sponsorship to the ALHCS Interhouse Sports Meet for the ninth year in a row. In reflecting about the initial reasons and premise behind this column, I am reminded that this forum is meant to speak about youth in a positive way by highlighting children, organizations or businesses that promote youth development.

Shortly after my arrival to Anguilla in June 2005, Mitch Lake asked me to attend a rather informal press briefing at the ATA’s new facility in Blowing Point in which Sutcliffe Hodge (Chief Executive C&W) and Avon Carty (Corporate Communications Manager C&W) would be presenting a symbolic check in the amount of USD $100,000. In Mr. Hodge’s initial address, he spoke about the contribution as being the single largest ever made by Cable and Wireless and they agreed to do so based on the fact that the ATA has had a long history of proving that their work is committed, professional and definitely shows results. Those words linger in my mind when I think about the many contributions that Cable and Wireless makes on an annual basis towards many projects in Anguilla. C&W is committed, professional and the sponsorship they have provided over the many years while operating in Anguilla has definitely shown results.

To give the readers an idea of their commitment, I spoke with Avon Carty and she shared with me some of the many events they sponsor that are youth related. In the 2006/2007 fiscal year they sponsored 18 events of which 12 were directly related to youth. Here is a list of areas they support: The National Sports Awards, ALHCS Interhouse Sports Meet, Optimist Triathlon, Spelling Bee (C&W started this event 20 years ago in collaboration with the Education Department and has sponsored it every year since then), Music Teachers Association (donation for purchase of grand piano), Leeward Island Talented Teen Pageant, Anguilla Tennis Academy, Centre Stage Talent Contest, Under 15 Cricket, Anguilla’s race against AIDS, The Valley Christmas Tree Lighting and the Central Christian School Charity Golf Tournament.

The above mentioned events are not all this corporate citizen does. Ms. Carty said that in addition, “we also donate free internet (basic package of $109/1MEG) to all the schools both government and private, HIV/AIDS Centre, the Red Cross, the Anguilla National Trust and the Anguilla Library. This has been provided for over 10 years for most of the institutions even dating back to the days of dial-up. We also provide this for the Anguilla Sting Ray Programme. Moreover, we donated MAX Units (sturdy computer-like devices specially designed for rugged educational institutions in an attempt to bridge the digital divide) to the Government’s Special Needs Units and the Stingray Programme.”

With all of the major events Cable and Wireless sponsors and the in kind donations they make, they still do more. Various organizations ask for assistance throughout the year with plane tickets or any other type of travel request. Small organizations ask for money here and there and as long as it is a worthy request, upper management approves it. Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge confirmed that in all, Cable and Wireless Anguilla spends more than $800,000 annually on the community. Needless to say, that is an amazing commitment to Anguilla and if it were not for businesses and institutions like Cable and Wireless, many organizations would not be where they are today. It gives me great pleasure to laud and congratulate Cable and Wireless Anguilla and its staff on an outstanding commitment to the development of Anguilla and the preservation of her culture.