BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ONCE again, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, through his annual ‘Help A Child Programme’, has demonstrated his love, compassion and interest in the academic pursuits of primary school students within Constituency Number Seven; the Constituency of which he is the Parliamentary Representative.
This demonstration was made yesterday (Oct. 15) with an Award Ceremony at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Molineaux, where 45 students from the Edgar T. Morris, Violet Petty, Estridge and Joshua Obadiah Primary Schools were each awarded bursaries of EC$500.
This year’s Help A Child Programme was held under the theme ‘Hardworking, Caring and Delivers for the People’ and was chaired by Warren Thompson. The programme, which is in its 12th year, was initiated by Dr. Harris in 2004 and has so far seen 300 students benefitting from some EC$165,000.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Patrick Welcome disclosed that there were naysayers when it was disclosed that plans were afoot to make the programme a reality. He noted that critics claimed the initiative would not be possible, but “with our hard work and perseverance we were able to prove them wrong”.
Dr. Welcome pointed out that the 21st Century had brought some degree of depression along with it and some people were glad that it was happening, but Dr. Harris had stepped in, and from his pockets contributed to the children of his Constitution “as never done before”.
“I want to say to you, if he did it successfully then, who can stop him now?” Welcome added.
Welcome called on the parents to continue supporting Dr. Harris as he does for their children, pointing to the many young people who have benefitted from the programme, among whom “are teachers and law students performing at the highest potential because of Dr. Timothy Harris”.
Also giving remarks at the ceremony was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Ionie Willet, who told the capacity crowd that “the Help A Child Programme is an insightful initiative which demonstrates one person’s commitment and dedication to the upward mobilisation and success of people”.
Paying tribute to Dr. Harris, Willet likened his generosity, love and commitment to one of the many quotes of the late German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein.
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” She added: “Indeed Dr. Harris has tried and today we can see that he has succeeded.”
To show their appreciation for Dr. Harris’ generous gesture, students from the four schools as well as a number of parents said “thank you” in the form of songs, dance and poems.
Taking to the podium amidst a standing ovation, Dr. Harris thanked Thompson for chairing the proceedings; the many donors, including Kajola Kristada, for making the annual event a success; and the parents and guardians for being present with the children.
“It has been a pleasure, and each time I come to an occasion like this one it makes me attempt to give the greatest gift to our children I feel inside to do and even do better for the next year,” Dr. Harris told the gathering.
Reflecting on his early years at school, the Prime Minister told the audience that he too was in need.
“When I started at Cayon High School many years back, it was my friend who lent the money to my mother to assist me. And I recall that when it was my turn to do exams in fifth form, it was my kind friend that lent the money to my mother so that I could pay for my CXC.”
Dr. Harris told the parents and guardians that he hopes the small token of award would inspire them supervise and stand by their children, who are the future leaders and who would be leading respectable lives and “will always reward us and reward the communities from which they came”.
In his message to the teachers, the Prime Minister said that every child under their watch deserves their appreciation and love.
“Sometimes it is difficult because not every teacher loves teaching, not every teacher appreciates that he or she is like the weather and they can make or break the student by the attitude that they send, by their love and consideration and the justice of their achievements,” he said.
He also told them that every child in their charge must be treated equally.
A member of the Organising Committee of the annual event said the programme had convinced them that if they wanted to help young people, the best way was to give them a gift of education because it is the passport to a better future.
Among those in attendance were the Hon. Wendy Phipps, His Excellency Sydney Osborne, Her Excellency Constance Mitcham, Michael Powell, Bishop Ron Collins, Principals of the schools and a large number of teachers.
