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On Thursday 10th August, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at the Belmont Estate St. Paul's, the UNESCO Youth PATH with the assistance of Mr. Winston "Zack" Nisbett, cultural preservationist launched St. Kitts's newest tourism and heritage site, "Queenie's Well."
Queenie's Well formerly known as Boo Well was launched by the group whose mandate is the development and documentation of natural and cultural heritage sites in order for these sites to become centres of internal and international tourism and in so doing, develop entrepreneurial skills for income generation.
The 2006 Tourism slogan winners unearthed the site during a training session on national cultural industries- identification and interpretation, with UYP facilitator and cultural preservationist Mr. Winston "Zack" Nisbett, who told the story of a St. Paul's heroine Queenie, who almost met her demise at Boo Well in 1934.
Queenie who epitomizes a strong Kittitian woman was lauded at the ceremony and will be made into a folk legend by the group. The site would be developed and preserved by the UNESCO Youth PATH participants in the coming months making it into an internal and international heritage site.
Ms. Unoma Allen, Communications Manager and Mr. Fitzroy "Platini" Clark of the Product Development Unit at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority were on hand to witness the unveiling of St. Kitts's newest tourism and heritage attraction. Ms. Allen committed her institution's unwavering support to UNESCO Youth PATH, as preserving St. Kitts' natural and cultural treasures are the key to sustainability.
Ms. Allen said that unique cultural and natural attractions such as Queenie's Well guarantees increased revenue for St. Kitts. She said that the St. Kitts' Tourism Authority is looking forward to the development of St. Kitts' newest attraction.
The launch was also supported by the Director of Culture Mr. Creighton Pencheon, Ms. Marlene Phillips-Lee and Ms. Lorna Ava Henry of the Department of Culture.
Mr. Pencheon in his address stated that such an unearthing, especially by our young people was vital to the preservation of our cultural heroes. He pledged the continued support of the Department of Culture in assisting UNESCO Youth PATH in its future endeavours, especially in the preservation of the legend Queenie.
The program was organized and chaired by UNESCO Youth PATH participants. Ms. Verema Douglas and Mr. Kardrin Francis were the chairpersons for the event. The invocation was done by Father Derek Sawyer of the St. Paul's Anglican Church. The chairpersons and UYP participant Ms. Zemone Marriott sang the national anthem. Brief remarks were made by the Project Coordinator Ms. Mutryce Williams.
The Director of Culture, Mr. Creighton Pencheon and Ms. Unoma Allen, Communications Manager St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Mr. Winston "Zack" Nisbett, UYP facilitator addressed the audience. The Declaration of Queenie's Well was done by UYP participant Ms. Cahema Mulley.
During the ceremony UYP participants Ms. Makeysha Richardson and Ms. Annivea Hutchinson honoured Mr. Joseph Smith who had contributed to the development of Belmont estate for fifty-two years. The presentation was done by UYP Mr. Donya Francis to Mr. Smith's caretaker Ms. Katherine Harris.
UYP Mr. Quazim Morris made a special presentation to Sail Caribbean who hails from the United States with whom the UNESCO Youth Path participants had conducted several training sessions during the past weeks were in attendance. UYP participant Ms. Krystal Moses gave the vote of thanks.
The launch was attended by Mr. Antonio Maynard, Secretary General for the UNESCO National Commission, Ms. Annie Fontaine UYP facilitator, the Golden Years Club, Mr. Donald Freeman Chairman of Festival de Capisterre, and well-wishers of the surrounding communities.
UNESCO Youth PATH is a programme designed to assist disadvantaged young persons ages 15-25 to optimize economic opportunities, create socio-economic empowerment and enhance the value of sustainable heritage tourism sites.
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