the Trinidad Guardian , which my father bought , and I listened frequently to radio . Others were Teacher Lilac Romney , Teacher Bridgette David , Ms . Gloria Payne , Mrs . Valgean Charles , Mr . Alex Pascal ( OBE-Broadcaster , Musician , Composer , Storyteller from La Digue , St . Andrew ’ s and Mr . Crafton McGuire . It was always my dream to have a voice like the “ man in the radio ”. I was always a leadership-kind of a person . My peers would always be looking up to me .
JANICE : What motivates you to contribute to your homeland ? JOHN : Before I travelled , as a young boy , I was member in several clubs and associations , like the Grenville Leo Club , Alafia , Birch Grove Folk Group and Church Choir . A very good friend of my grandmother , Ms . Eileen “ Aine ” Belmar would pass by and pick up food to make packages . She would go around the island distributing them . As a club member , we went to Cadrona Home for the Aged to deliver food ; and we did fundraisers to help the less fortunate . My grandfather in Lower Capitol wife was very generous ; she used to help Skipper , a homeless person . I grew up with grandparents who were always taking care of others … doing charitable acts .
JANICE : What are some of the projects you have undertaken ? JOHN : Donations to Maribeau Hospital and trophies to Rainbow City ’ s Better Village competition . Birch Grove won the last competition . With Merle Clarke , collected / shipped prom dresses ; with a team , via NADMA , shipped nine ( 9 ) barrels of clothes and food to help the victims of a serious fire in Gouyave ; part of team fundraising for scholarships and last but not least , coordination of a five ( 5 ) day- visit of two ( 2 ) surgeons to undertake fistula implants for dialysis patients . I do this because the need is great .
JANICE : How can Nationals better support you ? JOHN : I do not expect everyone to contribute . I am passionate about this and hope to have the support of those compassionate about giving . Every bit helps … $ 50 , or whatever one can afford .
JANICE : What words of guidance , wisdom would you share as encouragement to today ’ s youths ? JOHN : If you ' re passionate about something , whatever that is , I ' ll encourage you to keep to it ; push for it . There will always be pushback . Don ' t wait for someone else to validate your reason for doing what you ' re doing . Do what makes you happy . Failure is not negative . Use the failure as the gas , as the ladder , which you ' re gonna stand on to get to higher heights .
JANICE : What are your greatest accomplishments which makes you feel fulfilled ? JOHN : My two children ; my son is getting ready to start college and my daughter has her own business , in spite of personal challenges . I ' m alive to see my mother at 91 years old and still kicking it … still dancing .
JANICE : Where would you like to see Grenada in 5 – 10 years ? JOHN : There are some real ambitious projects
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