Basketball v. child abuse

(CNS): In one of the latest actions to combat child abuse and neglect in Cayman and to raise awareness about this problem, the Rock Hole Fyah Ants basketball team has been formed through the support of Ogier and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (CICC). The new Division B team’s captain, Caymanian artist Gordon Solomon, designed a one- of-a-kind basketball team uniform with ants as their icon and “Report Child Abuse” as the caption.

“Many people might be asking ‘why ants?’” said CICC Community Outreach Coordinator Carol Graham in a release. “Ants move mountains, one grain of dirt at a time. They do that by communicating. If we have community members that can address child abuse by adults taking the personal responsibility to protect children when they suspect or see abuse, we can truly change the fabric of our society.” Ants are the mascot to the ‘Darkness to Light’ programme taught by Graham through the CICC. The programme delivers specific training to parents and anyone who has responsibility for children on how to identify and prevent child abuse.

Solomon, a former player of the Cayman Islands National team (1994-1998), joined forces with two of his brothers Samuel Solomon and Cruz Solomon in putting together this team that carries this strong message. “The team is happy to be working with Ogier’s Child and Family Welfare Committee to advocate against child abuse,” said Solomon.

One of Ogier’s five employee funded and operated community services groups is the Child and Family Welfare committee, chaired by Denise Gower. “Funding this new team is an idea that the committee was immediately drawn to, as Ogier’s corporate involvement in combating child abuse is long and involved with Hedge Funds Care,” said Gower. “This project represents the increased level of awareness about child abuse in all areas of our community and it is wonderful to see this group actively creating dialogue around this issue and the need for adults to be accountable.”

With this strong message and the backing of corporate support, the team is expected to quickly climb the B division ranks. The team comprises: Gordon Solomon, Jovan Lee, Debert Dawes, Cruz Solomon, Odell Smith, Leroy Stewart, Kanie McKenzie, Samuel Solomon, Kenneth Bryan and Adam Llewelyn.

Photo: The Rock Hole Fyah Ants and members of the Ogier Child and Family Welfare Committee: Odell Smith, Heni Babbington, Cruz Solomon, Gordon Solomon, Adam Llewelyn, Shelliann Bush and Leroy Stewart.