BVI Youths return from EXPO 2000 in Germany
From left: Hakim, Mia, Mayor Bernd Strauch (standing), Astrid (in the
Mayor's seat)
Leslie, Ivan, Sonia & Daniel. In front is the bag full of goodies - just
been presented to the Mayor
 BVI Delegation Visiting The Newly Opened British Embassy In Berlin [Photo by Lion Lemans] |
 Leaving Hannover: middle, Past District Governor Lion Giesla Pfortner who arranged all accommodation - along with "Host-Mothers" of the group [photo by Astrid] |
Visiting Castle
Sans Souci in Potsdam; Lion Rattey of Potsdam pictured in center of group.
Full of joy, memories, impressions and knowledge the BVI delegation has just returned from Germany, where they attended among many other things EXPO 2000, the World Exhibition held for the first time in Germany. The next such event will take place in 2005 in Japan.
Sponsored jointly by the Virgin Gorda Lions Club and the Lions Members of Multiple District 111 (Germany) five young BV-Islanders were awarded the opportunity to visit this mega event. They left Beef Island for Antigua and London to Hannover, the venue of EXPO 2000, where they were met by members of local Lions Clubs. The delegation consisting of Lesley Maduro of The Valley, Virgin Gorda; Hakim Creque of North Sound, Daniel Vanterpool of Anegada, Ivan Williams jr. & Mia Wattley of Tortola, were accompanied by Lion Sonia Joseph, President of the Virgin Gorda Lions Club and Lion Astrid C. Wenzke of the Lions Club of Tortola II, the project-coordinator of the project held in memory of her late husband Lion Klaus, a member of the Virgin Gorda Lions Club. In fact this project was Klaus's brainchild and he had put a lot of energy in it.
Upon arrival in Hannover the group were divided and taken to four different Lions Families, where they not only enjoyed an excellent hospitality, but learned much of the different culture, eating habits and behaviors of the Old World. They left the BVI with some basic phrases in German that they quickly enhanced and much to the surprise of their German hosts were able to do basic communication in German. The group met every day to visit the EXPO 2000; some 18 Million visitors from around the world have visited Hannover during the five months exhibition.
Before leaving Hannover the guests visited the City Hall and were received by Mayor Bernd Strauch. From the nearly 800 youngsters from around the World being part of this Lions Project the BVI group were the only one this honour was bestowed upon.
The next stop on the trip was Berlin, the Capital of Germany. There they had the opportunity to visit the newly built British Embassy, inaugurated on 18th July 2000 by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For the first time in history the Queen or any member of the royal family dedicated an Embassy. City tours and again hospitality by the Lions of Berlin were topped with the visit of Castle Sans Souci. A memorial luncheon in Lion Klaus' honour was held at the historical Castle Cecilienhof, the venue of the Potsdam Treaty in 1945.
A three hour train-ride on the famous Intercity brought the group to the old Hanse City of Bremen, where they stayed for three days on the famous training ship "Deutschland". Through the assistance of one of the Bremen Lions they had the rare opportunity to spend three days on board the legendary old-timer Saillogger "Vegesack BV2". A lady with a history as far back as 1895 when she was built as a deep sea fishing vessel. She took part in many distinguished old-timer sailing races throughout Europe alongside historical vessels such as the "Gorch Fock" and " the "Alexander von Humboldt". With a laughters and a few tears in their eyes the group left "their" ship at the end of the two weeks trip to return home.
This was undoubtedly an educational trip for the young group, as they fulfilled their commitment as BVI Ambassadors at their best. Presentations were made to the Major in Hannover, the British Ambassador in Berlin, to the Host Parents and all Lions who escorted and assisted the group during their stay. Every VIP and every host was presented with a bag printed with the words: BVI Youth to EXPO 2000, the Virgin Gorda Lions Club and bearing the emblems of the Territory [St Ursula & Vigilate motto] plus the Lions Logo. The bags contained the book The Early History of the BVI by Vernon Pickering; a bottle of Pussers Rum, a video of the BVI converted into the German TV System, kindly sponsored by the German branch of the BVI Tourist Board; a pack of BVI Stamps, Information packages on the Financial Sector, the Trade Sector, the BVI Tourist Board, the GIS Newsletters, Memorabilia of the Virgin Gorda Lions Club, such as their 20th Anniversary booklet, Cups, Banners & Pins and much more.
The project has been financed with a U$5,000.00 grant from the BVI Government, substantial donations from District Allocations from the Chief Minister Hon. R.T. O'Neal, Hon. Reeial George, Hon. Alvin Christopher and Hon. Orlando Smith, as well as donations from the other three Lions Clubs in the British Virgin Islands. Many businesses and private persons sponsored this worthy project, whose financial foundation was laid immediately after Lion Klaus' untimely passing in August 1999 with an appeal by his widow Lion Astrid to refrain from sending flowers, but rather make donations to the Virgin Gorda Lions Club to enable them to make Klaus' last dream a reality. This appeal had raised more than U$2,200.00, not only from the BVI, but also from Germany, where an obituary was published in the German Lion Magazine, as well as from Montserrat, where Lion Klaus chartered the Shamrock Lions Club in 1997, sponsored by the Virgin Gorda Lions Club. In a letter accompanying his Cheque Chief Minister Hon Ralph T. O'Neal stated: "I do hope that the young people would in addition to enjoying themselves, and making new friends, learn many lessons from this experience. It is a great effort and Mr. Wenzke must be remembered for the thought and I am sure the youngsters will never forget this trip".
A commemorative booklet about this trip will be published and distributed to all sponsors and supporters. It will display a selection of the more than 1,000 photographs taken on this trip.
The Virgin Gorda Lions is most appreciative to everyone for their overwhelming support toward this project.