CAVE HILL, Barbados: The St. Kitts and Nevis Students Association of UWI Cave Hill Barbados celebrated its annual week of activities last week October 2nd to 8th 2005. Due to certain circumstances, SKNSA as the group is called on campus was unable to hold the week of activities on during the week of the Federation's independence as traditionally done, but the week attained higher heights none the less.
On the 19th of September members came put out at 7 am for a flag raising ceremony on campus and the singing of the national anthem in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of St. Kitts and Nevis. The official week however began on Sunday 2nd of October with thanksgiving, as SKNSA members worshiped at the Mount of Praise Weslian Holiness Church. On Monday 3rd, SKNSA members and friends boasted their 2005-2006 SKNSA T-Shirts sponsored by Carib Brewery St. Kitts Ltd. and Ginseng Up for the second straight year. This year's shirts featured on the front, the word "STRESSED?" and an image of such an individual, the back was a more relaxed person in a hammock and the words "Relax, you're on SKNSA time.". Tuesday 4th was the usually highly anticipated SKNSA Food Sale and Cultural display on the Cave Hill Campus. On sale was the Federation's National Dish, goatwater, cook up, johnny cakes, cakes and drinks, all prepared by SKNSA members. A cultural display was also set up for students to see aspects of Kittitian Nevisian culture and products produced in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Thanks to the SKNSA's Cultural Officer Hugh Matthew and the Ministry of Culture, an extensive exhibit was impressively set up in the campus' main library where all students could view not only local products but aspects of Kittitian and Nevisian culture through pictures, folklore costumes and other items. Wednesday 5th was the date of the first ever SKSNA concert titled "Caribbean Nite: A Cultural Fusion", which featured acts from several other countries represented at the UWI Cave Hill Campus in addition to SKSNA members. Proceeds collected at that concert were donated to UWIHARP, the UWI HIV/AIDS Response Program. On Thursday 6th with the help of TDC Ltd. and Hobson Enterprises and LIAT (1979) Ltd., SKSNA hosted its First Beer Lime on campus. Evolution Int'l Sound System out of St. Kitts was on hand for the premier event, and provided the packed Students' Union with local Kittitian and Nevisian music. Special requests were made by non Kittitian and Nevisian students for the Small Axe song "Pressure" to be played and repeated.
On Friday 7th SKNSA provided a shuttle for members and friends to journey to Oistins for the regular Friday fish fry and lime. The week of activities concluded on Saturday 8th with members and friends venturing aboard the Atlantis Submarine for a tour of the Bridgetown harbour seabed and coral reefs in the morning, and beachnic at Port St. Charles in St. Peter for an afternoon of food, frolicking and jet skiing.
SKNSA which has the fifth largest student population on the Cave Hill Campus with just under 60 students, continues to achieve new heights, and make its presence felt. SKNSA is expected to be participating the Combined Territories Association (students from non-campus territories) week of activities in two weeks, and play a major role in the upcoming Caribbean Integration Week in November.
SKNSA President Jonel Powell thanks Corporate St. Kitts and Nevis for support thus far. As mentioned, Carib Brewery St. Kitts Ltd. has come on board for the second straight year, and has been joined by TDC and Hobson Enterprises. Powell would like to encourage other local businesses to do the same as SKNSA aims to succeed not only academically, but also in the promotion of Kittitian and Nevisian culture.
Other upcoming SKNSA activities include the completion and tabling of the SKNSA constitution, a task started under past President Ron Daniel and now led by current President Jonel Powell. The official SKNSA website is still being worked, as not only financial but technical support is still a factor.
As SKNSA maintains its position as a force to be reckoned with on the UWI Cave Hill Campus in academics, sports and other extracurricular activities, its executive would like to thank the general membership and supporters of the group for their continued contributions.
