The Roots to Resilience Programme in East End/Long Look received help from 17 volunteers from Virgin Cruises on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Cruises volunteers and others who participated in the Roots to Resilience Programme in East End/Long Look on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Brainchild of the project Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) is standing right of photo. Photo: Facebook

Some 8 walls have been painted in the East End/Long Communities through the Roots to Resilience Programme organised by At Large Representative Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE. Photo: Facebook

Virgin Voyages made a call to the Virgin Islands on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Photo: VINO

The programme for the two communities was completed on Sunday, March 9, 2025, with eight walls painted.

They say many hands make light work and such was the case on Sunday when the programme received help from 17 volunteers from Virgin Cruises. Cruise ship Virgin Voyages docked in the Virgin Islands on Sunday

‘Red letter day’

A thrilled Hon Smith referred to the accomplishment on Sunday as a “red letter day” for the beautification initiative.

“Yesterday was a red letter day for the Roots to Resilience Programme as 17 Volunteers from Virgin Cruises joined us to complete the East End/ Long Look Paint The Town: Eight walls! Tiring but exhilarating!” Hon Smith stated on her Facebook page today, Monday, March 10, 2025.

The legislator also expressed appreciation to Unite BVI, Virgin Cruises, Rotary Club of Tortola, “our influencers and our volunteers especially Laverne who has not missed a day of work!”

The multi-faceted community development programme, Roots to Resilience: Together We Thrive was officially launched on December 6, 2024.

The communities of East End, Long Look and Anegada were identified to be the first recipients of this initiative.