BASSETERRE, St.Kitts, January 18th 2011 - “IT can be a phone call, a five-minute visit, just a few words or just one boy at a time; whatever it is, we need the assistance of men in assisting us at the Children’s Home.”
This passionate appeal was recently made by Dessi Henry, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the St. Christopher Children’s Home.
Henry claimed that while women lend assistance in providing advice and counselling to the children at the Home, there is an urgent need for more men to get involved. She is hoping that local entertainers and respectable men in public life would come forward and assist the Home in trying to instill values into the boys.
“We are women and while I think that the women are playing a very good role, these boys here are in urgent need of males playing a bigger role; they need father figures. This is why I am appealing to you entertainers out there, and other men in public life to come onboard and assist us.
“It can just be a phone call, a visit for a few minutes, counselling one by one at a time; whatever it is, it will certainly assist us as the role of fathers are pertinent in ensuring that young men today can remain on the positive path of life,” Henry stressed.
Henry also said that she would like to see local entertainers expressing more positive messages, noting that children would continue to look up to some of them.
“If what you are singing is not positive, then you could be contributing to the destruction of values and our society. Please remember that while your role is to entertain, let the message be one that is very positive,” she urged.
Speaking directly to two local entertainers, Nicha B and Dagga, who were swarmed by the children at the Home after their brief introduction, Henry encouraged them to continue pursuing greatness. She added that her only desire is for them to dedicate some of their time in being role models to the children.
“You may consider this simple but I am confident that both of you can play an important role in the lives of the boys here, as you can advise, you can demonstrate love and you can show concern. In so doing you will be assisting in building values, morals and self-confidence in one of the boys here,” she noted.
Nicha B, in accepting the invitation, reflected on his younger days and noted that he used to visit the Home on a regular basis to play with children who were living there at the time.
“I remember that I used to come in here almost every day playing with the children those days; and it was real fun, as while they lived here we never paid any mind. We were just interested then in having fun and making friends,” he said.
He assured the management, staff and children that he is working very hard to be successful in his music career. Nicha B stressed that his first task when he gets to the top would be to visit the Home and also to contribute in any way possible.
“I plan to come by and contribute in my own way in whatever way that I can help once I make it to the top. This place has good memories for me and I will support here wherever I can.”
Dagga reminded the children about the importance of education, stressing that regardless of what they choose to do in life education plays an important role. He told them that education is so important that even if they wanted to become artistes, they would still need education to assist in guiding them.
“Regardless of what you choose to become, a sound education is very important. And let me say that you still need an education even if you want to become a singer like me; so whatever you do remember that you cannot go through life without an education. I ask you to please make the best of the educational opportunities so that someday you can say that you did what was expected of you.”
Henry was in high praise of the new Administrator, who she said commenced her role at the Home on December 1, 2010.
“I want to thank Eartha Williams who have done an exceptionally good job since joining us on December1 last year. We are very impressed and satisfied with her as she is here almost 98 percent of the time, and she has been able to build a great relationship with the children.”
Henry informed that the Home intends to embark on a number of plans this year and issued a call for more men to lend support. She added that with more men playing a meaningful role, it would assist greatly in helping to shape young men for the future.
“If more men can come forward and give us the support and assistance that we need, then I think that we can achieve our objectives of building young men And like I said with everyone playing a small part, it will result in success.”
