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‘Wrest opportunity from danger’

by Barbados Today
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I recently listened to a national broadcast given by the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong. He called COVID-19, ‘the crisis of a generation’ with ‘tectonic shifts taking place in the global economy’. His opinion was that ‘countries will also strive to become less dependent on others’ and will have to choose to do business with other countries who are ‘like-minded’.

Like Barbados, aviation and tourism industries may never recover fully. So, Singapore’s focus is to invest in national growth, creating new jobs and ‘re-inventing’ themselves ‘in order to survive’. He plans for Singapore to vigorously spread its wings into digitalization and attract talent and investment to grow their economy. In keeping their doors open, Singapore acknowledges it will ‘bounce back faster and stronger’.

Whether as a country, a business or a parent, ‘we all now have decisions to make on our priorities, resources and budgets’. So, it is obvious that we all have to face disruption with courage and altered thinking. ‘What’s next’ on an educational level, is not a choice I envy parents having to make right now. Especially for those whose plans were for their children to chase their dreams overseas after completing Forms 5 or 6.

Even in these uncertain times, comes my reluctance to feed fear; we cannot enjoy each day afraid of what it could bring. 2020 feels like a year in which procrastination is a logical response – especially in terms of further education. There are simply too many unknowns and we are having to change lanes too fast, with the rear-view and side mirrors having been removed. Two things are certain: our children MUST be kept safe, and as Chaucer wrote in 1395, ‘time and tide wait for no man’.

If we believe the premise that nowhere is truly safe, parents should consider BIM, especially post Form 5, and possibly, post Form 6. The fact is, we have not been deprived of choice. Now, we simply have to think differently in choosing.

My experience in sailing has taught me that the only thing worse than navigating a dangerous reef is doing nothing – letting the tide take you where it will. How long should students who want to study overseas just wait? Or should they consider watering ‘the grass’ they are on – studying locally, unless Barbados cannot provide the career they wish to pursue?

Many of us want our children to experience the big, wide world, navigating the uncomfortable so that they grow through the opportunity to get involved in new things, to see the world, to challenge their comfort zone and to play in the ‘big leagues’.

Is the Universe telling us to change tack and steer closer to home? To be, in spite of our previous plans and hopes for our children, a part of the NEW Barbados which will emerge? To study and create a dynamic, new network in our small society so that we, collectively, become more relevant in the world?

Mr Lee told his people that, “the unity and resilience” of the people is paramount. “Once in a while, nations and people are severely tested, as we are now. Some buckle under pressure and emerge from crisis diminished, while others discover reserves of strength in themselves, and emerge from crisis transfigured, renewed.”

“Wrest opportunity from danger” was his rallying cry. Is there some reason why we think we cannot survive through our own national vision? Like Singapore, what he refers to as, ‘the pioneer generation’, ‘fought to master their destiny’. Since then, the ‘Baby Boomers’ have put blood, sweat and tears into growing a legacy in Barbados for our children.

Barbados is small, but only in size. We are a country with a great heart, and greater people. We have had our challenges before when two friends, Churchill and Lord Lyle, struck a deal which basically decapitated our sugar industry pre-Independence. This economic catastrophe gave birth to Tourism. We now have laid at our feet, another opportunity to evolve, and command our destiny.

For me, the greatest of all human currencies is, TRUST. The Mia Mottley Administration’s management of COVID-19 and its plans for transforming Barbados has topped the trust scales for me. Other countries remain a serious concern; the whole world seems to be on fire right now.

Now is the time for solidarity, starting with those preparing for advanced study. A conscious change of direction, through national transformation, will bring us prosperity. It is because we are small and developing, that we have the power to adapt with greater speed and purpose.

So, parents, do not procrastinate, waiting for ‘normal to resume’. This is a pipedream, driven by fear. It is time to stop looking back and to only look ahead. Right now, we must embrace that ‘sharper consciousness’ of being Bajan through taking advantage AND contributing to all that we can be, together.

The time is NOW to plan our course and harness the wind. Choosing to be adrift on the tide of ‘wait and see’ is a dangerous, if not deadly, prospect. This is the time to stay home and put Barbados FIRST.

Julia Hanschell can be contacted at smartstudying@gmail.com.

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