BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE 29th Independence celebrations is fast approaching and this year, the focus in centered around children and families in an effort to expose children to positive activities while tightening the bond on families.
The theme for this year's independence celebrations is "Cherishing children, strengthening families" and according to Chairperson of the Independence Celebrations Committee, Sharon Rattan, while giving insights to the activities of the celebrations said that the theme is, in one way or another, very important.
"It is special because children are at heart of the theme... I am an educator at heart, I spent many of my years within the walls of the classroom and outside of the classroom with children and my experience thus far has shown me the importance of focusing on our children," she said.
She elucidated that the government has quite a number of reforms having to do with children and one of the things they are very proud of in St. Kitts is the right to education which is something that they would like to reaffirm, emphasize the importance of the right to education … "and it fits in quite nicely with the opening of the school year", she added.
Rattan gave details about some of the activities involving children and explained the importance of having them involved in the celebrations.
On the 12th and 13th of September which is the official start of the Independence celebrations, the Ministers will be making their visits to the schools, but unlike the norm where the secondary schools are graced with their visits, the committee will be taking it a bit further and including not only the primary schools but pre-schools as well.
"Normally the visits are focused at the secondary level, but this year the focus will be on the Primary schools. For years the bigger children had the focus but this year the Ministers are going to be visiting all of the primary schools, both public and private in St. Kitts and Nevis. Pre-schoolers, this year, will be added to the treat. Generally they are not included but because our focus this year in on children, the pre-schoolers will be added to that target group."
Rattan went on to describe the activities that would be taking place the following day.
"A lot will be happening on the 14th September. On that day downtown Basseterre will come alive with the Department of Probation and Child Protective Services doing a public education outreach. We want to increase the visibility of that department; we would like that Department to share with the general public what services are offered, who are the faces they [public] can look for in the event that they need help at the Department.
"We have a new activity on the 14th which will be a feature of our young persons in the military and specifically we will have a drill display at 6:30p.m. opposite RAMS on the Bay Road featuring the cadets - our young persons who are a part of this group in the military and we will also have a feature with the police drum corps juniors, who will also be displaying their talent in the playing of the drums. This would be followed by the gala that many families look forward to at 7:30 p.m. in front of the old Treasury."
Rattan said that though the children may not be involved in a big celebratory manner, they are involved in very positive activities.
She went on to speak about the Community Awards which are now married with the Laying of the Wreaths and Guard of Honour taking place on the 17th September. She said the focus of the Community Awards this year would be on persons who have helped to shape and nurture the lives of children in a positive way, "so we now flip our focus to the adults who have had some impactful measure on our young people".
On that same day, a breast Cancer fundraiser will be held at 17 Degrees on Victoria Road at 4:00 p.m.
Rattan said that the Shades of Pink fundraiser will be a time where the family will have the opportunity to go and see little fashion shows among other things in a party-like setting, "and we felt that that was quite appropriate because it is in times of illness where the families have to pull together and bond. A bit of illness coming your way to one working adult can throw that whole family into poverty".
September 18th will be observed as National Colours Day and the Independence Committee is asking for the creative use of the National Colours.
"We felt that this would start awareness; it would get the creative juices of the public flowing with how they can use the colours of the national flag. We have already spoken to Principals so that they would be aware and so that they could use this as a mufti day in the schools".
Rattan also said that the Committee would be looking forward to hosting a fashion show at next year's celebration to commemorate National Colours Day.
"Think of the investment our country would have in the future if we make a positive investment in our children today," Rattan advised.
