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| Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, looks on as sports commentator, Joseph "Reds" Perreira autographs a copy of his publication. (G. Brewster/BGIS) |
Libraries at this island’s 22 public secondary schools now have copies of the memoirs of regional sports commentator, Joseph "Reds" Perreira.
The book entitled Living My Dreams was recently donated by him to the Ministry of Education and the National Library Service, with assistance from Bubba’s Sports Bar.
In presenting the copies to Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, Mr. Perreira expressed the hope that they would "motivate young people to focus, not to give up and to make something of their lives, even if they don’t have the scholastic brilliance."
While noting that he had had to work at the age of 16, he said: "I did not allow that to deter me. I listened and I read. Radio was the only thing then and I developed what skills I could as a young commentator and as a small administrator organising football and basketball matches."
The Guyanese national, who noted he had lived here for five years, stressed that he saw it as his responsibility to give back to the island. "I think I owe something to Barbados. Nobody invited me here; I came on my own volition and was well treated," he stressed.
In expressing thanks to Mr. Perreira, Mr. Jones said the publication was in keeping with his call for more texts to be written here and across the Caribbean.
He added: "People who are able to put their lives in text should share these with our schools… I know that [for] the National Library Service where our young people and all people of every walk of life go to read and get knowledge, this too will add to their storehouse."
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Director of the National Library Service, Annette Smith, was also presented with 10 copies of the book that is co-written by Catherine Atkinson.