Fourteen-year-old Roxsandy Giscombe, a year 10 student at Cayman Academy forged a partnership with the National Road Authority (NRA) of the Cayman Islands to clean the drains and pave the road to the institution. In recent times, the Cayman Islands has been experiencing severe weather conditions, resulting in schools closing due to flooding across the island. Cayman Academy is one of the locations that experience severe flooding when it rains heavily, and students, teachers, and community members experience a significant amount of water at the school entrance. This often leads to the school being unable to open and community members unable to use the road. Roxsandy explained her motivation for this project: ‘Each time it rains, the school road floods, preventing my peers and me from attending school.
The National Road Authority (NRA) was contacted through the family business after sending an email to the NRA; Roxsandy was invited for an interview on September 30, 2024. Shortly after, on October 3, 2024, the school drains were cleaned, removing approximately 4,000 gallons of waste. The largest drain, initially 75 feet long, extended to 104 feet after cleaning. The next phase of the project will involve Roxsandy and the NRA paving the roads leading to the school.
Roxsandy expressed her gratitude to the National Road Authority for promptly accepting her request and for their swift response. She also shared how happy she is to assist the school with a project that has been long overdue.
Roxsandy’s message to her schoolmates and the youth of the Cayman Islands is: ‘If you see a project you are passionate about, take the initiative to get it done. It will help you build leadership skills, benefit your peers and the community, and contribute to the development of the Cayman Islands.’
Roxsandy currently serves as the Year 10 assistant class president, sub-prefect, former Builders Club president, Key Club member, student counsellor, and past deputy head girl in primary school. As an active Adventist youth elder, she is committed to planning her next project and inspiring others to take initiative. Her dream is to become a paediatrician and a part-time realtor.
