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Rollins honoured

Published:Sunday | July 11, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Yoli and Gobind Mahtani at the ceremony at which Michele Rollins was conferred with the Civil Order of Merit by Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva at the Rose Hall Great House on Thursday, July 1.
Michele Rollins (second left) poses with (from left) chairman of Hospiten group, Pedro Luis Cobiella (left) and wife Micky Loobler and Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva. - photos by Janet Silvera
Palmyra's general manager Lester Scott (left), Salima Bouhlal and TurnKey Production's Walter Elmore.
Oriente Issa (left) and Sara Silva, wife of Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva
Navin Chandiramani and friend Harsha Chanrai at the ceremony in honour of Michele Rollins.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: In May, she displaced two of her Republican counterparts to win her party's nomination for Delaware's only seat in the United States House of Representatives. And on Thursday,July 1, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, named her "The Most Illustrious Mrs Michele Rollins."

There is no stopping the indomitable Montego Bay businesswoman, who was conferred with the Spanish Order of Civil Merit for her outstanding contribution to the country's most important industry, tourism. Rollins has embraced Spanish investors to the island, making them feel as if they are at home away from home. "Michele Rollins has continued to strengthen the vision of her late husband, John Rollins, and has become, in her own right, an inimitable institution to the Jamaican tourism industry, increasing the reputation and improving the recognition of all that family invests in the country," said Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva before decorating her with the order.

history in ja

The indelible contribution Ambassador Silva spoke about related to the long history the Rollins family has had with Jamaica. Their bridge, connecting the past to the present, has become an integral and essential part of the history of the island's engine of growth.

"Unlike many other generous individuals who give funds to social projects, Michele Rollins gives her personal commitment to the projects where she puts her money. My family and I have personally witnessed that every Easter Sunday, she picks up children from the SOS Children's Village to accompany her to church and invites them home for Easter breakfast; and we can personally attest that she knows each child by name, she knows of their achievements in school or on their first jobs, and we have seen how she cares for people," declared Silva.

His comments were received with cheers and applause from the intimate group of persons whose lives have been touched by this philanthropist.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com