SALUTATIONS (TBC)
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
- Your Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Delroy Williams,
- Captain Christopher Hughes – Logos Hope and Team,
- Members of the Clergy,
- Other Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Introduction
Lady Allen and I are delighted to be here to extend our welcome to the international crew of Logos Hope to Kingston, Jamaica, in a year when in the year when the city celebrates its 145th anniversary.
We join you this morning to witness the opening of the Logos Hope – Experience Deck, featuring the largest floating book fair in the world. We welcome you to Jamaican water a second time.
We consider your visit a genuine expression of international goodwill and understanding.
We are coming to the end of Reading Week in Jamaica and it is quite significant that you appear, to put the ‘icing on the cake’, with the Logos Hope carrying the Word of God as well as many inspirational and educational titles!
This mission is the embodiment of Enlightenment, Wisdom, Truth and Faith in Action – all of which the Logos communities, members, volunteers and partners have so conscientiously pursued.
The Community of Logos Hope clearly prides itself on the internationalist, multicultural, inclusive approach to effecting sustainable change.
With the broad range of age groups and the wide variety of professional experience, from the Captain to the newest member of staff on board the vessel, Logos Hope represents a microcosm of what the larger community should and must be.
It is also a great inspiration to know that the crew and staff are all non-salaried volunteers. This certainly serves as a motivation to others to be part of an international network of people who still believe that they can help others without being paid.
We applaud you for this!
The Vision of Logos Hope
As Governor GeneraI of Jamaica, I can identify easily with the vision of Logos Hope, i.e., extending equal opportunity for knowledge to all; expressing practical love; promoting peace by embracing diversity; guiding people towards a purposeful life; inspiring faith and restoring relationships.
This allows me to reflect on my own I Believe Initiative (IBI) – a Social Programme focused on volunteerism to impact youth, family values and education. It is a community based initiative started in 2011 out of the Office of the Governor General with its mantra to using what is right with Jamaica to fix what is wrong in our communities.
The stories coming out of this programme reveal commitment, energy and transformation in many areas of life among our young people, many of whom are in very challenging situations.
With our similarity of vision, and as Logos Hope continues to foster goodwill throughout the world, perhaps we should consider ways in which we can collaborate to enhance the mission of IBI and Logos Hope. And hopefully you can always have a community footprint in Jamaica when you are gone, continuing unbroken, ‘till you return.
Sharing Help
We admire your wide range of aid and relief projects over the years, including: post-civil war reconciliation in Papua New Guinea, building orphanages in Myanmar and Liberia; rebuilding houses in Nicaragua and Grenada; donating books and literature in Sudan and East Timor.
Sharing Hope
It is clear that at the heart of Logos Hope’s service, is the foundation of your Christian faith.
We hope that as the people of Jamaica meet and interact with the members of your crew, they will be inspired and given hope for restoration of relationships in their families and communities.
Sharing Knowledge
I note that your book fair carries a selection of over 6,000 titles for all the family.
I know that your events on board and on shore, including your seminars and conferences for leaders, men, women, youth and children will impact significantly the people of Jamaica and yourself will also be impacted through the friendships you will undoubtedly make.
CONCLUSION
I congratulate and commend everyone who made this event possible.
Thank you and God bless you!