BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, 5 January 2014 -- 2013 has drawn to a close and 2014 has unfolded. We are truly grateful. Life and health remain with many of us; family and friends were (re)-connected with, and much was done to remind us that another milestone has been reached in our human experience. It is with happiness and reflection that the Jamaican Kittitian (JamKit) Association is delighted to merge its efforts on this occasion in celebrating with our Kittitian family the joys of the Yuletide Season, and acknowledging the New Year that has been gifted to us.
With Carnival and Jonkonnu snaking their ways through the streets of Basseterre and Kingston respectively, we all were reminded of the passion for life that has been part of the old year’s experience, and which has been part and parcel of an intense and exciting year. As with 2012, so too has 2013 been a year of great moments for Jamaica and for St. Christopher and Nevis, providing much for which to be thankful.
Kingston burst into celebration as an international star was reborn on “The Voice” in the person of songbird Tessanne Chin, while the lovely and gracious Pernelle Abraham dominated the 2013 Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant in continuation of the Federation’s recent supremacy in this Event. Replete was the year with special and significant developments in the local realities of both our territories, and we have truly been able to acknowledge the special significance of Christmas through the many ways in which our lives have been improved this past year.
Sadly, we have also had to face the gloom of loss and destruction even in the midst of our joys. We are only just trying to come to terms with the passing of one of history’s gargantuan figures, in the person of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. His death in the earlier part of last month left a gaping hole in the lives of millions of South Africans and a resonant dullness for even greater masses across the world.
Similarly shocking have been the death and devastation brought to our fellow brothers and sisters across the region, where recent unseemly weather prompted fatal landslides and flooding in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica. These have truly been dark experiences for our collective whole, and we take this opportunity to express our solidarity and lend our support to those affected. This is in keeping with the truest and purest meanings of the Christmas message, and New Year promise, of hope.
As 2014 begins its yet uncharted trajectory, we all hope that there will be greater avenues for development in our nations. We commit to working towards greater expressions of humanity, equality and justice. We await the resolution of the anathema unleashed in the Dominican Republic through the citizenship debacle with all of its unfortunate implications, and strive for the eradication of violence against women, children and men that has continued to scourge our Caribbean landscape.
We pledge our continued support for organizations that are contributing to social and spiritual development such as the Salvation Army, and hope to keep on working with others to intervene meaningfully in the lives of the less fortunate. This will advance the goodwill that we know the Christmas Season was intended to bring.
We trust that the Season has been one of peace, happiness and celebration for all. We hope that safety will follow everyone throughout 2014. May God continue to richly bless you all, and may life remain a positive journey on which all are happy to travel.
One Love.
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