CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JULY 30, 2009) -- Minister responsible for Youth and Social Development on Nevis Hon. Hensley Daniel, said his Ministry was constantly thinking of new ways to engage the island’s children. He made the comment on Wednesday when he visited students involved in Camp Refresh, an initiative designed to build up their innovative skills.
“We at the Ministry will continue our efforts to reach our young people and provide them with some opportunity to develop their skills.
“The various forms of craft, field trips, presentations and motivational talks all help to point our young people in the right direction. So on behalf of the Ministry I would like to thank you the parents and the children for their involvement,” he said.
The two week programme which concludes on Friday has facilitated over 100 children daily throughout the island at eight centres. It is facilitated by persons within the community.
Mr. Daniel said his visit to the Centres was to view the children at work during the programme and to encourage them to continue take advantage of the opportunity.
Participant Ms. Loshan Winter age 14 of Bath Village summed up her experience at the Camp as one of enjoyment which taught her the importance of craft work. Another student Master Kareem Rommey of the same village said he joined the programme because it taught him many things and kept him busy.
Meantime, at the Charlestown Primary School Centre, facilitator Ms. Mavis Parris said her students were taught the importance of recycling through craft.
They were also engaged in dance classes with an instructor from the Department of Culture. The students also got the opportunity to hear from a motivational speaker who impressed on them the importance of confidence and how to be positive young people.
In addition they had an exploratory field trip to Lime Kiln Bay.
“We collected some things from the ocean. We have created some craft centered on coral and shells. Our main craft with the shell is what we call a jewellery stand…In addition to that the children did a bit of sewing machine skills where some persons were able to create cushions,” the Facilitator said.
Ms. Parris described Camp Refresh as a fun event but a challenging one. Nonetheless, she said it was important to continue to assist the youth and the Camp provided that opportunity.
Mr. Daniel also visited Centres at the Joycelyn Liburd Primary School, the old St. Johns School and the Community Centre in Brown Hill.
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