BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 6TH 2009 (CUOPM) – Sunday’s congregation at the Estridge Moravian Church in Mansion and the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis have been asked to mourn with the families of two students involved in a tragic incident on Friday afternoon.
Speaking at the Youth Outreach Programme Church Service at the Estridge Moravian Church in Mansion, attended by over 50 members and their parents of the Community Outreach Club of the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas referred to the incident.
In brief remarks in his capacity as Minister of National Security, Dr. Douglas asked the congregation and the nation to mourn with the family of the victim of the recent stabbing incident in Cayon and asked for prayers for the assailant and his family, “who also must be very traumatised.”
Prime Minister Douglas also used expressed personal condolences to the families involved.
Dr. Douglas thanked Rev. Jaime Francis for allowing the Outreach Club to worship at his church and commended the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Hester Rawlins and officers for responding in November to his call for responsible individuals in NGO’s - the Church, Community, Sport and Youth organisations to come forward and engage the nation’s youths in activities that will help in building their character, instilling correct values, behaviour and attitudes to impact positively in conflict resolution and anger management and improving community relations thus building better communities and stronger families.
A similar appeal was made by Prime Minister Douglas on Monday morning at the opening ceremony of the Newton Ground Primary School Literacy Programme.
He appealed to the congregation to be aware of the challenges the youth face today from gang and gun violence and crime and alluded to Dr. Sharon Halliday's reference on Thursday at the March against Crime and Violence that too many of “our youths are engaged in drug-alcohol and marijuana-abuse and the need for parents guardians and teachers to look out for signs of such use and abuse.”
