Venezuelan Ambassador Donates Books on Bideau To Schools

STUDENTS and teachers of the Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School received an important piece of historical literature following a much-welcomed visit on Tuesday by Venezuelan Ambassador to Saint Lucia, LeiffEscalona.

The presentation forms part of the Venezuelan Embassy’s commemoration of the bicentennial anniversary of the death of St. Lucian hero of Venezuelan Wars of Independence, Jean Baptiste Bideau.

From March 8 to 17, the Ambassador, along with the Castries Mayor Peterson Francis and other embassy officials will be visiting to primary schools in the Castries basin to present copies of the books detailing Bideau’s life.

The famous St. Lucian war hero was born in 1780 and from 1811 participated in the War of Independence of Venezuela under the orders of Simon Bolivar and General Santiago Marino. Bideau was also one of the liberators during the expedition from Haiti to Venezuela and saved Bolivar’s life on July 14, 1816 on the beaches of the Coast of Central Venezuela.

“Our intention is that all young students in St. Lucia know about this history of this brave St. Lucian,” Escalona said. “He is a hero, Hero of Independence of Venezuela and, of course, he contributed with our process for independence — but not just Venezuela, but five other nations in South America.”

Following the short presentation, School Principal Margaret Gabriel said: “I would like to thank you very much for this initiative and for taking the time to come in person to make this presentation to our school. We are very pleased that you have chosen our school as one of the schools to visit. It was really a pleasure.”

The activity culminated with the song, “Thanks, Thanks”, sung by the students as a token of gratitude for the visit and gift.

The school was the first stop for the day by the Ambassador and was followed by another to the Camille Henry Memorial School in Sans Souci.