Freeport, Grand Bahama Island – The Kamalamee Organization was founded in 2010 and aims to assist the Grand Bahama community in the areas of education, health and wellness as well as assist local charities. With that in mind, the organization has embarked on their very first mission, which is to pay tribute to those that have significantly impacted the cultural and economic landscape of our island and nation.
Why Kamalamee? Exploring The Bahamas, you may see a large tree with red shaggy bark that peels off in paper-thin strips. The tree is a member of the same botanical species as frankincense and myrrh, both representatives of the world’s oldest medicines. It is also the source of that very soft and light wood used for making toy airplanes and boats. In that form it is called balsa wood. Despite its light weight when stripped, the Kamalamee is referred as one of the strongest woods that exist. Being considered a Kamalamee symbolizes their uniqueness to our country: gentleness, power and greatness.
This year, the Kamalamee Organization will host The Kamalamee Honours, celebrating 10 extraordinary individuals whose collective passion has made a difference in our society.
The public was asked to submit names of their everyday hero online late last year; from 100+ names, 10 were selected. The primary standard in the selection process is excellence and notoriety. The Honourees are not chosen by achievement alone, but by years of valuable contributions.
Errol Bodie for Athletics, Jacques Chenier for Business, Elizabeth “Tip” Burrows for Ecology, Urban Gibbs for Education, Beverly Chinn-Munnings for Design, Diana Wilson-Swann for Fine Arts, Dr. Romeo Fernandez for Healthcare, Norma Headley for Humanitarianism, Maurice Moore for Political Science and Bishop Arnold Williams for Religion.
With the selection of these outstanding individuals, The Bahamas now joins many countries around the world that pay tribute to its people through the performing arts and heartfelt tributes from peers and admirers.
The inaugural Kamalamee Honours will take place Saturday, November 17th, 2012 at the Regency Theatre. The show will consist of depictions of the recipients’ lives, presented documentary-style in film and through live performances. Tradition will have it, that every year the complete list of guest performers will be kept unpublicized until the show is in progress, adding to the element of surprise.
“In addition to recognizing some of the country’s most treasured citizens, the Kamalamee Organization will support a wide variety of programs, as well as educational initiatives and national outreach programs, most notably efforts in the fight against juvenile diabetes.”
“It is indeed our pleasure to offer ourselves to the growth and development of the Grand Bahama community. We look forward to working with local schools, business establishments and other charitable organizations.”
Submitted By Robbin Whachell
Caption: The inaugural Kamalamee honourees from left to right: Elizabeth “Tip” Burrows – Kamalamee Award for Ecology; Urban Gibbs – Kamalamee Award for Education; Jacques Chenier – Kamalamee Award for Business; Diana Wilson-Swann – Kamalamee Award for Fine Arts; Errol Bodie – Kamalamee Award for Athletics; Beverly Chinn-Munnings – Kamalamee Award for Design; Dr. Romeo Fernandez – Kamalamee Award for Healthcare; Pastor Arnold Williams – Kamalamee Award for Religion & Philosophy; Norma Headley – Kamalamee Award for Humanitarianism; and Maurice Moore – Kamalamee Award for Political Science Photo: Lyndah Wells
