Adult PCH Children have finally, after many years of trying, received their BOTC status. This allows them full rights, (with the exception of voting) to live their lives as regular citizens of TCI . All but one was born here and all went to school in Provo and grew up here. We are delighted to again congratulate these wonderful young adults on achieving their rightful status.

A huge THANK YOU to HE Governor Dakien who was instrumental in making this happen!

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Youth. When I visited the children’s home a few weeks ago I said I wanted to take Mandy there. We did that today and spent a few relaxed hours enjoying the company of a bunch of super smart and super engaging children. Best few hours of the week. It’s hard to post about the children, and give any sort of full-some story, without invading their privacy but oh my gosh - they are very special. We are going to keep going back. Credit to TCI, even if none of them have status and almost all of them were born here, that their lives are genuinely enriched by the experience at this home. They said so in a way that caught our breath. For those of you that donate you should be proud of your contribution. Wards of the state, some of them valedictorians in their class, many of them competing at a national level in sport, this is something TCI should be tremendously proud of. If a country is judged on how it looks after its most vulnerable the way these children are treated at this home should allow TCI to walk tall. But what happens when they leave this home, without legal status, and find their way into an adult world where a piece of paper - or lack of - is the difference between a home, a job and stability or none of the above. What do you do if you don’t belong? Separately, and I can’t comment if I believe they are guilty or innocent - but a group of Turks and Caicos teenagers were arrested this week on firearms and hi-jacking charges. Good work by the police. Bad work by society. I may be responsible for policing but I’m not responsible for parenting or building an inclusive society. Others need to be accountable for that. And finally I presented the prestigious Chevening scholarship to a Turks and Caicos Islander to not only study in the UK but network with the brightest in the world. An amazing opportunity for a young person to connect with a future global academic elite. Wouldn’t it be awesome for a young child from that children’s home to gain such a scholarship - from what Mandy and I saw today all the potential is there but none of it can be realised until Wards of the State, children born in TCI, are granted permanent TCI statehood. Anyone object?

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