The Strength of My Spirit Author:Patrick McKenzie The book tells the story of he life of a boy who was born in a small obscure village under the British colonial system at a time of one of the world's greatest economic depressions. His conditions were barely livable, but the early strength of his character was nurtured in a strong and loving family that in... more »stilled the value of education. His small community which was in fact an extended family, provided the safety and security that allowed his horizons to have unlimited boundaries.
Among the first in his village to attend a high school, he later excelled in college in the United States of America having been spurred by the remarks of a supervisor who pointed out that he had talent and encouraged him to reach for the stars. After graduation from college he returned to his native country to serve and after a while he rose to the highest professional heights. For his service he was given a national award.
Given the choices of service to an international organization under the United Nations or to his country at a Cabinet level as Senior Minister of Agriculture in the Government, he chose the latter in spite of the crunching economic conditions that faced the world at that time and particularly his non-oil producing country. He was appointed Chief Whip in the Parliament while his party headed the government and continued as Whip when it was the major Opposition Party.
He left a trail of goodwill among farmers, professionals, businessmen and the general public through his direct involvement in technical and university education, in the financial sector as Chairman of the only Agricultural and Industrial Bank and in the international community particularly that of the Western Hemisphere.
He has had the privilege of official and social discussions with several Presidents, Prime Ministers and Governor Generals and represented his country in all the continents. The strength of his spirit has been his strong family ties that commenced with his great-great grandfather, William Thom who was a slave.« less