There are many things you can do and the future for TCI is indeed bright

Introduction

I know many people like to say there is nothing to do and the Turks and Caicos is boring, so they don’t want to live here.  They also claim they want a better education for their children and the cost of private education is high in TCI, so they move overseas. Some also claim that despite the booming economy of the Turks and Caicos, the future is bleak for Turks and Caicos Islanders and so many of the students that graduated with their degrees are not retuning home.

Now I lived on the island of South Caicos from 1970 to 1986 and we did not have all the things we have today in Turks and Caicos, but we found things to keep us preoccupied and it was fun. We played soft ball, marbles, basketball, visiting our grandparents, playing with our neighbours, going to Church and Sunday School every Sunday, watching wrestling, Dallas, Dukes of Hazard, and General Hospital. We even had a movie theater. The future did look bleak around that era as the economy was not doing well so many people continued to migrate to the USA and the Bahamas. However, this is 2022 and I am optimistic about the future for Turks and Caicos and of course for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

Stop saying there is nothing to do – There are many things you can find to do

The Turks and Caicos does not have shopping malls, movie theaters and fast-food restaurants and a lot of people complained about that. Even those that come here to live among us like to compare the amenities and entertainment in their country to the Turks and Caicos Islands. They refer to the place as boring. Honestly, I visit other countries that have all these amenities and entertainment and I still feel bored especially if my family is not with me. I concluded that people like to find excuses as to why they don t like TCI and why they must leave TCI.

I believe even if we had malls or movie theaters, many people may still not go to those places. These places will only make you spend money anyway. You may find visitors go these places more than the residents. Do a survey and ask some of the TCI residents that lived abroad, how often they go to the mall. Furthermore, so many people are busy with their families and work that they may not even have time to frequent these places. The thing is many people are ordering online and even watching movies online so it may not even be feasible for shopping malls and movie theaters.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is surrounded by so many beaches and yet many of us including myself do not go the Beach. Thousands of tourists are flocking to Turks and Caicos just for the beach, but the residents are hardly there. Some residents do not even know how to swim. In addition to the Beach, the Turks and Caicos has the third largest barrier reef in the world and people are coming here to explore the barrier reef and I am told it is such a beautiful scenery. This another reason why swimming should be mandatory in the schools.

The children should not be bored at least on the island of Providenciales where I lived. There are many sports that are available for children to participate in such as soccer, basketball, rugby, and swimming.

There are things you can do in TCI. Find some family and friends and hang out with them and enjoy life and stop complaining about nothing to do in TCI. For example, my family and I bought the day passes at Beaches and enjoy our time there. Now if it is too expensive for you, hop on the ferry and go to Mudjin Harbour in Middle Caicos, my favourite scenery in TCI.

The future is not bleak – the Future is bright

I know improvement is needed in our educational system and the cost for private education can be very costly in TCI and so some families have left the TCI. Of course, it is a personal choice, but thousands of individuals have gone through our educational system and are doing well. I have received both my primary and secondary education on the island of South Caicos and my future is bright. I recently interviewed Jenna Hatmin who did her education right here in Turks and Caicos and got accepted into Harvard University. Now I understand that some parents must relocate especially if their children have special needs. I also think we should all embrace the opportunity to enroll in a UK university and college given that we can get the local rates, but you do not necessarily have to go to High School there.

The future of TCI is bright.  The Turks and Caicos is attracting many immigrants, but many Turks and Caicos Islanders are migrating. Some complained they are being marginalized and it is true to a certain extent. However, it does not mean you should leave TCI. It is time for more of us to be entrepreneurs. The opportunities are here. We must take the risks and start our businesses. Embrace the opportunities from Invest TCI. Do not front for others so they can get a business licence. Do it yourself. While some of us are complaining about nothing to do, then develop businesses that will give people something to do.

Conclusion

Many of us are complaining about foreigners taking over but if many of us are migrating to the UK and USA, then what do we expect. Remember less than one third of the population is Turks and Caicos Islanders.

I conclude with the words of JF Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

Many non-citizens see the opportunities in this country and are taking advantage of them. Why don’t you do the same? We don’t need to rely on Government, the laws are already in place. Be the change that you want to take place.