From Small Island to Big World
An Autobiography
by
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Susanne was born in relatively modest circumstances, on a small and somewhat then unknown island in the Caribbean called St. Vincent. As fate would have it, she managed to obtain employment with the premier international organization in the world, this afforded her the opportunity to travel, work, and live in a number of very large countries in this magnificent world of ours. Many of these countries were “hot spots” at the time she lived and worked there. She has always considered herself blessed and have been very grateful for having the chance to work in such a prestigious international organization.
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About the Book
When Susanne finally decided to write this book, she was resolved that it would not contain just extractions from her personal diary of globetrotting notes. Rather it would be a chronicle of the highlights of her life over the past forty years. She felt that the writings should emphasise her own personal makeover from a small island girl into an international traveller, as well as to showcase some of the developments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in the wider Caribbean region, leading to the transformation of both, into modern-day developing entities which are now attracting the interest and respect of the world at large.
This book will include chapters about– Susanne Desiree Erica, the petite lady from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that small island state in the developing world. Who by commitment to hard work, uncompromising integrity and a home-grown characteristic for organization and tenacity, was able to enhance her personal on-the-job performance, earn the respect and friendship of many of her work colleagues, and over time, gain the confidence and admiration of her supervisors, wherever she served.
This book therefore, will also be about her family life and love for her parents; about love for and devotion to her siblings. It speaks to the distraught and anguish caused by death in the family; about picking up the pieces of shattered emotions following a failed marriage; and moving on to greater successes. It is about finding new love and discovering a soul mate, and in general, understanding and appreciating the seemingly small but very important things in her life. The stories herein which touch upon her very early life were told to her by her father and co-author.
About the Author
Fitzroy- (Fitz) was born in 1934 into a poor family in Sion Hill, St. Vincent. He grew up with his eight siblings in a two room wooden house. Growing up in poverty on the small island of St. Vincent during the forties was in itself a great achievement. While Fitz was no different from any other boy on the island, the days spent foraging for fruits and the nights spent doing homework by the light of a kerosene lamp molded him into the proud man and the good father he is today. He knew at an early age that the only pathway to advancement was through education, discipline and hard work. Helped by his father who had migrated to the UK when he was four, he entered the lone secondary school for boys at the time. After graduating with five GCE passes, he never looked back and has held senior positions in the Government Service of his native land and also in several regional institutions in the Caribbean. Fitz has written radio skits, poems and newspaper articles, in 1998 he published his first book of poems, short stories and articles entitled ‘Grassroots’.
Susanne – Susanne Desiree Erica Dowers at birth. Married at age 29 and became Susanne Desiree Erica McKenzie. Divorced at age 35 and changed to Susanne Desiree Erica Joachim (I made the name change in memory of my mother who was a Joachim before marriage.) Married again at age 36, now Susanne Desiree Erica Joachim Buurveld. This is my first publication and until recently I had never thought much about whether or not I had inherited my father’s gift of writing. However, since taking on this endeavour, I have realized that perhaps I have found a new interest in life. The rest is in the book!