Duchess of Cornwall in packed tour of Grand Cayman
(CNS Local Life): Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in her hectic solo tour of Grand Cayman on Thursday, 28 March, while Prince Charles was in the Sister Islands, officially opened Jasmine Villa, visited the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and stopped by George Town Primary School. The ceremony to open the new home for what was previously Cayman HospiceCare was attended by among others government officials, Jasmine staff, and representatives of other non-profit organisations, and included a large turnout by the community, who lined up to wave flags and greet the duchess.
In welcoming the more than 150 people in attendance, Cabinet Minister Joey Hew, who is a member of the board of Jasmine, noted the “tremendous” individual efforts as well the efforts of the “entire community coming together to make this building a reality”, with donations of more than $1 million in cash and kind.
Chris Duggan, chairman of the board of Jasmine, acknowledged the “historic visit” of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and added, “This is also a very historic day, not just for our organisation at Jasmine but also for the Cayman Islands as it marks the first time the Cayman Islands has had a dedicated inpatient and palliative care unit.”
Speaking to the “huge achievement” that has been 20 plus years in the making, he said, “It’s always been a dream of our organisation (to have such a facility) and today marks the first day of that dream becoming a reality.”
The duchess then unveiled a plaque commemorating her opening of Jasmine and cut the ribbon, after which she briefly toured the facility. During the visit, Camilla met various stakeholders and invited guests, and before leaving for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (CICC), she stopped to chat with and greet students and members of the community who were standing outside to welcome her.
The duchess, along with Elisabeth Roper, the governor’s wife, then visited Estella’s Place, the public-outreach arm of the Crisis Centre, where she interacted with staff, volunteers and the young people who attend the TAYA (teens and young adults) Lounge after-school programme. Her visit coincided with the two-year anniversary of Estella’s Place and TAYA.
CICC executive director Ania Milanowska said they were “absolutely delighted” to have the duchess visit. Some children and a client prepared a cake for the occasion, she said, which Camilla cut. “It was a wonderful celebration,” she added.
Milanowska also explained that every young person who comes to TAYA signs a peace pledge and the duchess signed and dated her own pledge on the board.
She said that Camilla “was very engaging, especially with the teenagers who were delighted to tell her what a difference TAYA has made in their lives”.
The last stop on her Grand Cayman tour was the George Town Primary School, where 200 school children and their parents were waiting. Camilla was escorted by Minister for Education Juliana O’Connor-Connolly to the school’s new performing arts stage, where the students performed skits.
See photos of Camilla’s visit to Grand Cayman below (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
Category: Community
