Dedicated to Service
AXA Love sat down with Bonnie and had a candid conversation with this incredibly talented and multi-faceted Anguillian.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
AXA Love: Where are you from?
Bonnie: I was born and raised in New Jersey, USA. I was born in Perth Amboy, a city in New Jersey where many Anguillans emigrated to work in the factories and oil refineries. I lived the first 10 years of my life in South Plainfield, NJ, and then moved to the small town of Green Brook in Somerset County NJ.
AXA Love: Where in AXA do you live?
Bonnie: I currently live in The Cove, West End
AXA Love: Where else have you lived?
I lived in Pennsylvania for 4 years while I attended Penn State University. I also lived in Salamanca, Spain for 5 months. I lived in New York City from 1988-1996.
AXA Love: What drew you here, and how long have you been here?
I have been coming to Anguilla all my life; I was in utero when I first came. My grandparents come from Anguilla. I have an aunt and lots of cousins who live here as well. I moved here permanently in January 2001, after marrying my husband Albert Lake in September 2000 who is also Anguillian.
AXA Love: Are you involved in any community causes/projects?
Bonnie: I currently Chair the Board of the Anguilla Community Foundation. The Foundation was founded in 1999 with the goal of building a permanent collection of endowed funds for the long-term benefit of the Anguilla community. We do fund-raising and make grants to charitable organizations and social causes. I am now a regular member of the Anguilla Family Planning Association but former President of the association. I served for 15 years on the board of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation of which the Anguilla Family Association is a part. The local and the regional organization is a part of the International Planned Parenthood Association.
AXA Love: What inspires you?
Bonnie: Joy!
PROFESSIONAL QUESTIONS
AXA Love: How did you get into your profession?
Bonnie: I have always been interested in areas related to Social Work, Mental Health, and Reproductive Health.
AXA Love: Are there any job accomplishments you’d like to share?
Bonnie: In collaboration with other hardworking professionals here in Anguilla, I have done a lot of work on designing, advocating for, and implementing several important pieces of legislation over the years including the Mental Health Act, Domestic Violence Act, the Parole of Prisoners Act, the Child Protection Act, the Child Justice Act and others. I have worked with colleagues to improve child protection systems and access to HIV medications and treatment. I take pride in having worked jointly with colleagues to establish a Parole system here in Anguilla, the Department of Probation, the Zeniada Haven Residential Rehabilitation Centre, and the White Cedar Place of Safety for Children.
AXA QUESTIONS
AXA Love: What do you love most about AXA?
Bonnie: The quality of life.
AXA Love: What are your favorite things to do in AXA?
Bonnie: Go to the beaches and enjoy the wonderful restaurants.
AXA Love: Where are your favorite places to eat/drink/ in AXA?
Bonnie: Where do I start?
– Tipsy Turtle
– Jacala
– Leon’s
– Dolce Vita
– Artisan Pizza
– Hibernia
AXA Love: What’s your favorite menu item?
Bonnie:
– Ocean Echo – Frozen Mojitos and Sausage Pizza
– Sharky’s – Lobster dishes
– Straw Hat – Tuna Flatbread
– Ember – Whelks, Bianca Pizza, Quail, Lamb Shank (*Note: Ember is closed as of this writing)
– Tasty’s – Lamb Sliders
– Roy’s – Lobster Bisque
– Sandbar – Frozen Sandbar, Caprese Salad,
– Elvis’ – Goat Nachos
– Veya – lentil Soup, duck
– Olas – Margaritas
– Ben’s Pit Stop – Margaritas, Escargot
AXA Love: Is there a particular AXA moment or memory that stands out?
Bonnie: My grandmother’s old house in The Quarter and family beachnics (beach picnics) at Crocus Bay and Shoal Bay back in the 70s and 80s when the beaches had nothing on them but sand.
AXA Love: What would you say to someone considering living in AXA?
Bonnie: Do not expect it to be like where you came from.
