CHARLA HUBER
Former Langford fire chief strives to help Divine Hand Orphanage in Haiti
When I heard Bob Beckett was stepping down as Langford fire chief last June, I was a little sad.
To me, he was a fixture in Langford and on the West Shore. When I was a reporter covering tragedies such as fires and fatal car crashes, Beckett was always there. I watched him console people as they watched their home or business go up in flames. I watched him keep a level head as he led his team of firefighters on the scene.
He showed genuine compassion in his work, and anyone who has witnessed the work he’s done for our community would agree with me.
A few weeks ago, I ran into Beckett at a community event, the first time I’d seen him since he retired. He served as fire chief from July 1996 to June 17, 2017, retiring at the age of 63.
“I just felt it was time to move on. And someone younger could take the helm,” Beckett said, explaining he has a young family again and really wanted to enjoy quality time with them.
“I loved the work I was doing. Physically it was getting tougher,” he said. “That kind of work can be difficult from an emotional standpoint. I didn’t want to see another tragedy — I dreaded having to go to another call involving a young child.”
Beckett also admits it was getting tougher to get out of bed at 2 a.m. to respond to a call.
I asked him what he is doing now. It didn’t surprise me as he listed off all the things he is involved in. He’s been a member of Rotary for 25 years; he’s been on the YMCA-YWCA board for seven years. He’s also filling a transitional position at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre.
He’s leaving the YMCA-YWCA board this year and his work in Bamfield is temporary. So Beckett began to look into other avenues where he could serve.
He’s a lifelong volunteer, and has spent decades serving. I admire him and his community-driven focus, and I hope one day I can make an impact like he has.
At first, he thought it might be politics. He met with the Langford mayor and council to learn more, but he ultimately decided it wasn’t what he wanted to do.
Beckett heard the United Nations was pulling out of Haiti, which has a special place in the his heart. He has travelled there 15 times in the past seven years, paying his own way and volunteering to improve the lives of orphans.
Beckett said police agencies from around the world have been providing monthly donations to fund the orphanages through the UN. With the money stopping, Beckett is worried.
During his trips to Haiti, Beckett gives more than his time — he is taking steps toward giving the gift of sustainability. The focus of his new campaign is to help the Divine Hand Orphanage become completely selfsustainable over the next two years.
Nothing feels better than being self-reliant. Sometimes we all need a little guidance from others to steer us in the right direction; other times, we know the direction we need to go and it’s just a bit of seed money to get started that’s needed.
Already, Beckett has witnessed and helped Rotary launch an egg-laying project, a bakery and a potable-water source for the orphanage. Not only are these three projects providing the children with eggs, bread and clean water, but these commodities are also being sold to the community. So the community benefits and more money is available for the operation of the orphanage.
Beckett wants to help with other avenues to generate funds for the orphanage. He has done the math and has determined it can all be done in two years.
“I am looking for people to commit to donating $25 a month for 24 months,” he said. “It’s really about looking after these children.”
He has another trip planned for February.
“I have this fundamental philosophy that we should all leave this planet a little bit better than when we got here,” Beckett said.
“It can be coaching a team, running a Girl Guides group or going to help in an orphanage. We can all do something.”