Bonti Liverpool among top three regional CIBC unsung heros

Bonti Liverpool

“It is the hands of God working. God is showing his hands.”

This is the reaction of of CIBC First Caribbean’s local unsung hero Bonti Liverpool after he learnt that he was named runner up in the bank’s regional unsung hero competition.

Liverpool is among three ‘unsung heros’ from across the Caribbean who were recognized  by the bank for their work among the less fortunate .

He told DNO that the award is a sign that the hands of God are at work. “I think people are not getting the real message of the award,” he stated. “The real message is God’s movement in the entire process. The hands of God is working through First Caribbean to free us from the social morasse that Dominica has ended up in.”

Liverpool received a cash award of US$6,000 for the local title and will receive US$5,000 for his prize as the regional runner up.

He said all the money will be going to enhancing his work at Wisdom to Know and the Scout movement in Dominica.

Wisdom to Know is a drug rehab center run by Liverpool on a shoe string budget. He said its is a center that aims to fight a “systematic war against deviance and substance abuse.”

“The money received will be used to sustain the program, and help move it forward,” the former drug addict said.

Some of it will also go towards scouting, a movement which saw a resurgence on the island five years ago under the leadership of Liverpool.

Speaking at the local award ceremony on the weekend, Marie Therese Winston-Charles, Acting country head of CIBC First Caribbean Bank, said there is no way the ceremony can match the spirit and grit with which Liverpool has approached his service to community and country, “selflessly reaching out to complete strangers at times, to enrich their lives and inspire them.”

The regional competition was won for the second consecutive year by a candidate from the Dutch Territory of Curacao.  Gerda Gosepa took the award for her work as a volunteer and social worker in depressed areas of Curacao.  The other runner up is Edward Williams of St. Vincent, a physically handicapped man who has committed his life to the selfless care of others, particularly young children.

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29 Comments

  1. wa-As
    October 25, 2012

    Padna nuff respek to you and de fadda for taking yourself out of bondage and helping other slaves to be imancipated.And people stress de positive,stop
    dwelling on the past.Just because a man lick two piece of tarrish do not make him an addict.He was once a user maybe but addict is man like Rats who never take a break for years.Forward ever.

  2. out of south city
    October 24, 2012

    @ anonymous: Wasn’t it good enough to celebrate his achievements and not speak about his past? Did anyone ask you concerning that? Why the crabs in a bucket mentality?

  3. Big Fast Windy
    October 24, 2012

    ….. :wink: ….Congrats Ice….. :wink: “Forward we go”… Blessings Sah…

  4. Pat Aaron
    October 24, 2012

    The hands of Thoris also at work, and so is the hand of Odin. great stuff Bro.

  5. DoDo
    October 24, 2012

    You have made us in Grand Bay proud Bonti. You have been in public service all your life. Acolyte, youth groups, Credit Union as a founding member, Scout, Cadet Commander, community groups, basketball, cricket, CCF. Now you are in town, you have established a rehab centre, and trust me you will do more. Among people who can lead, you take a back seat to nobody in Dominica and I say that without fear of contradiction because I knew you before and I know you now. Few people if any could have gone through what you went through and still be alive much less to do the work you are doing, the example you are showing and the inspiration you are giving. I heard President Williams say that he knew you a long way back. It would be honourable of him to nominate you for a high National Award. You deserve it.

  6. October 24, 2012

    Big Up Brian Man Bonti.I am so proud of you.Well deserved.God Bless.

  7. Anonymous
    October 24, 2012

    Congratulations Mr. Liverpool, you definielty deserve this. Do something nice for yourself as well.

  8. Marie
    October 24, 2012

    My Liverpool, U always tell me to give “Thank U God” no matter what. U believed in God strongly, i recall seeing and sitting with u in church. U taught me how to pray. That am always grateful of. Because of you love for God and you always saying Thanks U God no matter how bad or good the situation it. You have been rewarded. THANKS YOU GOD is a big word.

  9. Malcolm
    October 24, 2012

    A few years ago I did tell you that your BEST DAYS were ahead of you and NOT BEHIND YOU! I am glad that you were able to remind me of that on Saturday. Comrade I am really proud of you and truly celebrate your achievements this day. Continue along this path and you’ll only find that it glows brighter as time progressess. You have done a fantastic job with little but surely you have had a BIG God on your side and that makes ALL the difference in the word. Ace you are blessed and a blessing to many!

    • Malcolm
      October 24, 2012

      *I told you…… lol

  10. AHA
    October 24, 2012

    Congrats and continue the good work.

  11. T mama
    October 24, 2012

    this is miraculous and wonderful..congrats…

  12. OK
    October 24, 2012

    Mr. Liverpool the DCTAI would like to congratulate you on this local award and wishes you God’s blessings in all your endeavours.

  13. Marcus Hill
    October 24, 2012

    “A former drug addict”? I didn’t know that Liverpool was on drugs.

    • Anonymous
      October 24, 2012

      yes we He Lost his job as manager of Grand Bay Post officer many many years ago>lost his house to the back.lost everything he had. thanks to his sister who took charge of his kids. he has come a long way.i wish him all the best. wish his parents were still alive to see that change.

      • Anonymous
        October 24, 2012

        I attended SMA with Bonty and was quite shock to hear of his past drug addiction and substance abuse. :cry:

        I recall he was always reading some kind of Louis L’Armour western novel.

        His name was also carved into every desk in the school and he must have served 1001 Saturday morning detentions for this :lol:

        Our English teacher would always single out his English compositions, essays, etc. to read to the entire class as something to aspire too, and I always wished that I could write like him.

        Keep up the good work, hang in there and keep fighting, My Friend!

  14. Mamizoo
    October 24, 2012

    Sir you are an inpiration to me and my family. I only wish that we all would show a little more care for each other. Instead of laughing at the less fortunate ;the drunks,the paros, mentally disturbed let us reach out to help.

  15. Anonymous
    October 24, 2012

    If all of us who support Mr. Liverpool’s efforts decide to make a contribution towards his cause ‘Wisdom to Know’, I believe that would go a long way.

  16. Shameless
    October 24, 2012

    I salute you sir! You will always be the Biggest Chief is scouting in my humble opinion. As our motto says: “BE PREPARED”, you have always remained prepared and helped many others prepare for a better life ahead. Thank you again for your selfless sir..

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  17. look
    October 24, 2012

    Good Job Mr. Liverpool. U’re a true leader. I wish that you will be recognized this year on National Day. Good Luck again and we all know u mean well. God is Good!

  18. Anonymous
    October 24, 2012

    Congrats Mr. Liverpool!! Those before has said it all. Wish you continued health and strength to do the work that you’ve been blessed with.

  19. Gerald La Touche JP
    October 24, 2012

    Congratulations to you Mr Liverpool. Your true reward is indeed in the hands of God. May your work continue to inspire and change for the better those whom you have reached out to help. I wish you greater public support in your tasks. God bless you and those like you who make a difference. Those of us who grew up in “lovely Dominica” cannot comprehend “the social morass that Dominica has ended up in” which you now describe and which is sadly a true reflection of Dominica today. As we celebrate this 34th independence anniversary may we all Dominicans reclaim our social responsibility to each other and to Dominica in the creation of a better Dominican society – a more compassionate, caring, diligent and worthy Dominican society. Tripple Kay may sing that now is ghetto youths time but this does not mean that we have to sit on the side and watch Dominica descend into the massive ghetto that the country is quickly becoming!

  20. Staci
    October 23, 2012

    Another great article Bonti!

  21. d/ca
    October 23, 2012

    congratulations Mr.Liverpool, and i know u will continue the good work, May the good Lord strengthen you, empower you and bless you with long life.

  22. Lougaoo Mem
    October 23, 2012

    Bondolo, we are proud of you. On behalf of the Grand Bay community, it’s a pleasure in congratulating you for your achievements. Our prayers are with you as we support you in your endeavors. The Almighty God will continue to navigate you through. God bless!

  23. October 23, 2012

    that’s it sir you did it keep up the good work an the strong talking that you are doing

  24. Freethinker
    October 23, 2012

    Bonti may believe it’s the hand of a god, but it’s for the best if he acknowledges the things he can actually prove exist–his work, the bank’s decision, and other tangibles. It’s very easy to play down our own achievements by saying “god did it.”

  25. Grotesque
    October 23, 2012

    Amen to you Sir. Heres the best part your riches are multiplying a hundred fold in heaven, your eternal home.

  26. Dr. Lucia john
    October 23, 2012

    My congratulations Mr. Liverpool, you are right. It is the hand of God at work and when God organizes, no ends are left loose. You deserve the recognition, the prize and everything, You deserve it all. All the best to you and the group Wisdom To Know.

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