Red Cross gets ‘Happy’ for Ivan anniversary

| 12/09/2014

Cayman Islands Red Cross(CNS): The Cayman Islands Red Cross has got everyone dancing to celebrate the recovery from Hurricane Ivan, which devastated Grand Cayman in 2004. Set to Pharrell Williams’s mega-hit 'Happy', the video includes several well-known faces, including the Cayman Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Chief Officer Eric Bush, RCIPS officers, staff from the HSA and PWD, Red Cross volunteers and response teams. Watch full video on CNS Business

Of all the words in the English language that one would associate with Hurricane Ivan,
“happy” is certainly not one that comes to mind, the CIRC noted as it launched the video. But on the 10th Anniversary of the worst disaster to have affected Grand Cayman, the Red Cross said it was challenging the community to a new perspective.

“To say that Ivan was horrific is a gross understatement,” said Deputy Director, Carolina
Ferreira. “It was our biggest challenge to date, and quite possibly the scariest thing that
most people have ever lived through. Our aim is not to try to minimise that in any way,
but rather to showcase our resilience, as a nation, not only directly after but for the past
decade following that disaster.” 

The CIRC’s focus is on the work that was done and continues to be done by various sectors of the Cayman community to ensure that we take the lessons learned to heart and apply them.

“We would be doing ourselves as individuals and our community as a whole a disservice
if we took nothing away from the steepest learning curve we have had to date,” explained
Disaster Manager, Danielle Coleman. “The CIRC via its volunteers and its work with the
Community Emergency Response Teams, along with other key response agencies, have
been working tirelessly to help build resilience at the individual, family and community
levels. That is what we need to celebrate- the unbreakable spirit of our people.”

The music video, created with the help of the Cayman Story Company, gives a “then and now” retrospective look at how far the Cayman Islands have come in the ten years since the devastation. Set to the tune of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, the video is a composite of Ivan photos and footage intermixed with current day shots of members of the community expressing their gratitude and happiness for being able to get to where we are today.

“The video is aimed to make people feel good, grateful and empowered,” explained Ferreira. “It has cameos by CIRC volunteers and staff, members of the Community Emergency Disaster Teams, members of the RCIPS and HSA, and even the deputy governor, among others. We have accomplished a great deal, and we need to remind ourselves of this. When people watch this video we want them to nod their heads in agreement with us when we say ’10 years later… 10 years stronger’,” she added.

The CIRC “10 years later… 10 years stronger” video was launched via social media at
midnight on 11 September 2014. 

To see it log on to the CIRC website www.redcross.org.ky and follow the YouTube, Facebook and Twitter links. For more information contact the CIRC directly on 949-6785 or dm@redcross.org.ky.

Watch it now on CNS Business

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  1. Anonymous says:

    leave it to the unhappy negative CNS posters to find something wrong with a red cross video! zzzzzzzzzz

  2. Anonymous says:

    A truly exceelnt reminder of how far we have come and how much more resilient our beautiful island is,………Thank you Red Cross for this very timely reminder!

  3. Anonymous says:

    I recall radio Cayman appealing for the police to show up for work day after day after

    the hurricane yet they feature so heavily in this video, in uniform and presumeably on duty.  

  4. Anonymous says:

    Presumably a breach of copyright has occurred.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Very nice video.

    It's just unfortunate that the Fire Services don't feature in it when the firemen played such a key role in Ivan and the police, who were so scarce, feature so prominently.

    • Anonymous says:

      Post 21:44; You made an excellent observation regarding the absence of our Caymanian owned Fire Services in the video. That is another example of the high level of disregard those in authority has for their own people. 

      It was clear to everyone that the Fire Services personnel were the Saviours of the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Yet they received absolutely no recognition for their outstanding performance. They also performed the duties of the police who were not available as many of them, being expats caught a floght and left the island. How sad to witness the way the Fire Services have been and is still be treated.

      Guys, it is only a matter of time before the island will experience another major hurricane and even though I may suffer, I would suggest that those who are receiving the big pay checks, who fail to give you the recognition that you deserve for doing their job in a disaster; that you step bqck and allow them to lead the island while you follow their instructions.

      For the record, I am not suggesting that the Fire Services staff sit back and refuse to do their jobs. What I am saying is that they follow the lead of those who are being paid at the top to lead the country during times of crisis. It is only a matter of time before that day comes upon us and I await the performance of many. 

      I will say thanks to Donnie Ebanks, Kirkland Nixon and his team of key individula who took the bull by the horn and did what was necessary to save the country. I assure you that the island will not be so fortunate this time around. Perhaps someone should interview Kirkland Nixon about that event so he can give you the facts about what happened.

      • Anonymous says:

        Maybe you should ask the Fire Services if they wereinvited to be part of the video……

  6. Anonymous says:

    who pays the red cross people

    and how much do they make

    I could NOT do a hapy dance right now !!!!!!!!!!!

    me broke !!!

    wish i was an mla

  7. Anonymous says:

    Brilliant video Red Coss.  Who are those fantastic Police Officers?  The Governor looks amazing!

  8. Peter Milburn says:

    Kudos to all involved not only during Ivan but to this day the volunteers and staff are second to none.

  9. Anonyanmous says:

    Thank you Red Cross and everyone who worked to help these islands at our most difficult moments during Hurrican Ivan.

  10. Anonymous says:

    It is very up-lifting to see, my only pet peve is why can't we reach out to our fellowman at all times when he/she is in need. Right now there is a financila IVAN a BLOW and A Blow hard. We need to start to feed the people that don't have food to eat everday. Trust me they are out there , people hurting , people crying, if you don't see it, it dose not bother you the least. I see it, I have cried with them I have tryed to help where I can , I have called people in Government private individuals but all I get is promisses.

    We dont need a mother nature deaster to bring us togather ….. we have a man made one now and it stays around longer and hurts more. I know we all cant help everyone and yes the question is Why should you help? all I can say is help if you can. just look around they are standing beside you…. no need to travel far . Help someone today , buy a lunch, dinner , give a helping hand.

     

    Mankind / Caymankind/ just be KIND

  11. Anonymous says:

    This is EXACTLY what we needed this week. Thank you CI Red Cross!

  12. Anonymous says:

    Wow, what an uplifting video.  Thank you to all the Red Cross volunteers and other members of the community who are always at the ready to help !