President Anthony Carmona was stumped momentarily during a tour of schools at his former hometown of Santa Flora yesterday when a Standard Three pupil innocently asked him where he lived. “That’s a sensitive issue,” Carmona responded, adding: “Let’s just say I live in a humble place.” Carmona’s remarks brought chuckles from members of the audience who accompanied him to six schools, including his alma mater Santa Flora Government Primary School.
He came under fire last year for accepting $28,000 a month for housing even though he is currently provided housing at Flagstaff for his family and staff. When he arrived at his alma mater yesterday, Standard Four pupils greeted him with a song called “We Love You.” The notice board had a daily news bulletin which read: “The President is visiting our school today.”
Carmona shook the hand of every pupil and personally handed out a token from the Office of the President. At his alma mater, he recalled how he made “traps” in the Savannah as a child and bought toolum and sweet cherries from a nearby parlour. Saying he never imagined that one day he will hold the Office of President, Carmona told the pupils they had the potential to study anywhere in the world.
He added: “People may say you come from the bush but don’t let that stop you. You can be anything you want to be with hard work and sacrifice.” Urging his listeners to be the best they can be, Carmona asked the pupils to recite a pledge “to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
“Don’t talk ill of people. Be kind, compassionate and caring,” Carmona said, adding that the worst bullies in the country were adults. He added that kindness could open doorways that people never dreamed were possible. Some of the pupils got the opportunity to ask the President questions. “What is it like to be the President?” Elijah Mendes asked.
“It’s a humbling experience. I have done various jobs but this one is different because you lose your sense of privacy,” Carmona replied. Aaron Karabai, of Standard Three, asked: “Sir, do you know my father? His name is Lennox Karabai.” Carmona then laughed out loud and said Lennox was his very good friend. Carmona also told the pupils that it was not a perfect world and they would make mistakes in life.
“When that happens get back up and run again,” Carmona said. He hoped to build a nation of patriots within the next few years, rather than to have a nation of citizens. Carmona also visited Santa Flora AC Primary, Palo Seco Government Primary, Erin Road Presbyterian, Erin RC Primary and Erin SDA Primary schools.