BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HUNDREDS of children were entertained and amused by the Shaping Our Society (SOS) Club’s first annual Back-to-School Extravaganza this weekend.
The event, which was held on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 29) at the TDC Staff Centre, drew almost four hundred schoolchildren from across the Federation, and treated them to an afternoon filled with recreation, fun-filled learning exercises and musical performances by prominent local artistes.
SOS members distributed the club’s version of a ‘stimulus package’ at the event, which consisted of various school supplies. Additionally, members of the St. Pauls Wesleyan Holiness Church provided free haircuts to all of the boys in attendance.
Masud Sadiki, Niquan and King Konris energised the young crowd with renditions of their most popular songs. They also had words of inspiration for the youths, encouraging them to do well in school so they would become productive citizens.
SOS Public Relations Officer Jabez Harris called the afternoon a “wonderful experience”, and expressed pleasure at the substantial turnout. He pointed to collaboration among several different youth organisations as the reason behind the event’s success.
“Rev. Peter Paul and his men usually hold their monthly ‘Cut and Shape’ event for the young boys of St. Pauls. They were excited to collaborate with us for this extra special occasion. We also made alliances with the Ambassadors of Peace Empowerment and the St. Kitts Youth Department,” said Harris.
He went on to thank the event’s sponsors, volunteers and coordinators for their support and contributions, stressing that the afternoon had not only been about having fun, but also about motivating young persons to excel.
“Along with the traditional games of football, cricket and mississippi, we incorporated a very entertaining trivia section. The questions used were based on a primary school test of standard questions as an attempt to prepare children for the upcoming school term.
“The club has committed to having this event every year for as long as it’s able. Our motto is ‘Working to Make a Difference’, and we believe the back-to-school extravaganza helps us to fulfil that aim,” the PRO explained.
Harris informed that the school packages, which were not distributed during the Extravaganza, would be donated to the Children’s Home and other deserving persons throughout the Federation. SOS was founded in 1989 with the objective of strengthening and empowering the nation.
