Retired educator wins Kiwanian of the Year Award

A retired educator has been honoured by the Kiwanis Club of Barbados North for her dedication to projects involving children and overall commitment to the club during the year 2022-2023.

Wendy Alleyne was bestowed with the honour of Kiwanian of the Year during the club’s 37th Charter Anniversary and President’s Awards ceremony last Thursday evening at the Club Resort and Spa, Vauxhall, St James. The event was attended by fellow Kiwanians from clubs island-wide and specially invited guests.

Having joined the Kiwanis Club 23 years ago, Alleyne served as president 2011-2012 and twice as secretary. She was afforded the title of Distinguished Secretary on both occasions. She also chaired various committees in the club.

Distinguished President Michael Archer lauded her pivotal role in the club which helped it to achieve distinguished status. He highlighted her role in setting up the K Kids Club at the Gordon Greenidge Primary School, tutoring weekly at the Common Entrance Support Programme, perfect attendance for the year 2022-2023, attending and participating in projects, attending Interclub meetings, and being the Chairperson for the Club Service leadership Programme. All these she fulfilled while being an active member of four other committees.

Alleyne said: “My life has always been one of service. It started as a child when I attended the Salvation Army in Carlton, St James. It was there that I learnt about assisting the less fortunate in my community. I assisted in the Kettling at Christmas Time where the money that was collected went towards transforming the lives of the needy.”

The former primary school teacher has been hands-on with the K Kids, the international student-led organisation providing primary school pupils with opportunities to perform service, build character and develop leadership. It falls under the Service Leadership Programme Committee of Kiwanis.

Alleyne, who was humble in accepting the award added, “I love working with children, having been a primary school teacher for 41 years. Getting children to perform at their maximum and engaging them in meaningful projects gives me great satisfaction.”