(Below is a copy of a letter sent to Nelson Kalombo Ngoy, pastor of the Community United Methodist Church of East Norwich)
My name is Jane Obando and it is with great sadness that I write this letter. Wesley has been a very important part of my sons’ lives this past year and we were distraught to learn that Wesley was closing.
My experience at Wesley has been nothing short of wonderful. Carolyn and the teaching staff were exceptional, patient, and very nurturing. I recommended Wesley to my sister, who soon enrolled her daughter in the summer camp program and the nursery program for the fall.
We were extremely concerned when we found out that a cell tower was going to be placed in the steeple of the church. The studies done in Europe and Israel on the effects of radiation from the cell tower were inconclusive and many of us parents, to be truthful, believed our young children would be at a more significant risk to develop health and developmental issues many years from now. There was no substantial evidence to indicate otherwise. As parents we need to be advocates for our children and provide them with a safe and healthy environment to grow and prosper. I love Wesley so much and was so apprehensive about enrolling my children elsewhere but inevitably felt that the cell tower and it’s unknown effects were just not worth the health of my sons. This is a decision that was not made overnight. I discussed this topic with several mothers and we felt that it was in the best interest of our children’s health to leave Wesley. I can whole heartedly state that if the cell tower was removed or the location of Wesley were to be moved, my two sons would be attending Wesley in September.
Wesley is not just a nursery school but a community that has been a staple of East Norwich for 37 years. I believe that Wesley is united and strong enough to overcome this encumbrance with your guidance and continue to flourish and educate the children of the future. Please help me fight this crusade to keep Wesley open.
Jane Obando
