I trust that all is well with you and your family.
When I am trying to make my point I always like to substantiate my point with factual examples. I always try not to draw examples from big, developed, economical and industrial countries but from small countries and Caribbean Island such as Curaçao.
As per attached you will find two different examples of how gratitude is shown and recognition is given to someone for their dedication, hard work, devotion, the fact that they represented their country in an honourable manner and for placing their country in a positive spotlight.
The first example is the Barbadian track athlete Obadele Thompson who won a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney Australia.
With all that was given to him as shown in the article can you imagine what he would have gotten if he had won a Gold medal instead of bronze? Or a Bronze medal in the World Championships that are even more prestigious than the Olympic games?
The second example is the beautiful Arubian Taryn Mansell who became runner up to the Venezuelan Alicia Machado in the 1996 Miss Universe contest. She just like Obadele received a car, the title of Goodwill Ambassador, cash money and numerous gifts.
I am honestly and truly happy for them and for anyone who is deserving of such merits. Yet at the the same time I am very disappointed almost to the point where you become disillusioned as I mentioned during the press conference, in our local authorities, Curaçao business organizations, private sectors and government owned subsidiaries. Especially when you read or listen to the media of what supposedly very good friends have received in the past, are currently receiving, and will be receiving, makes you even more disillusioned.
Sherry Howell
