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Back Chat members flanked by teacher (left) and SIV member (right) at Candle Light Vigil for Tsunami victims. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 17, 2005): Several students of schools participating in the UNESCO Small Islands Voice initiative took part in a simple yet touching candle light vigil on Friday, February 11, 2005.
The vigil, which took place on the grounds shared by the Department of Education and the UNESCO National Commission Secretariat, commenced at 7:30 p.m. Back Chat members Valissa Burt, Carissa Hendrickson and Nakishma Cassel as well as Verona Sutton and Ivana Williams from the Verchilds High lit their candles and shared words of encouragement and support for the victims of the tsunami disaster. They were accompanied by Back Chat coordinators, Mr. Richard Greenaway of the Basseterre High and Mr. Leonard Stapleton of the Verchilds High School.
Tributes to the tsunami victims and their families commenced with the singing of the 23rd psalm along with the gospel Lord Prepare me to be a Sanctuary. Bible readings included Revelations 21:1-5 which was read by Mr. Stapleton, John 11:22-26 read by Valissa and Psalm 91:2-3 read by Ivana.
Expressing moving words of comfort to the grieving families Verona said that she is praying for them and was keeping them close in her heart. The concluding tribute was Psalm 24 which was read by the group. Back Chat members were joined by representatives of the Sandy Point High School group who also demonstrated their solidarity with the tsunami victims.
The Back Chat group meets every other week at the UNESCO National Commission Secretariat and communicates and chat on the Internet with young people in the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean, hence the concept for the Candle Light Vigil.
