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| Scouts Receive Donation Toward After-School Program |
| By Teshell Samuel |
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| Scouts Leader Sylvester Huggins accepting donation with Chief Commissioner Mrs. Bernadette Dolphin others in photo include Education Officer Micheal Blake and Sheridan Hendrickson of National Bank |
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The Irishtown Primary School arm of the Scouts on St. Kitts received a valuable donation this week, to help improve their after-school program.
The group was provided with new uniforms and a new Junior Drum Set valued at over EC$5,000 from the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, as part of an ongoing sponsorship.
A brief handing-over ceremony was held at the school’s premises on Tuesday morning (Dec. 7), in which Scouts Chief Commissioner of St. Kitts-Nevis Bernadette Dolphin, together with Irishtown Scouts Leader Sylvester Huggins, accepted the gift.
Dolphin admonished the students and Cub Scouts present not to leave the training received through the program behind as they journeyed through life. She assured them that not only would the acquired knowledge assist them now, but in adulthood as well.
“The Scouts training will help you for a lifetime, no matter which part of the community you find yourself employed in. This is why when you come out to your meetings, we encourage you to be at your best and grasp at every opportunity that is there for you. As you can see today, persons are falling like the leaves from trees and I am urging you young people to stay on the right path. Stay in your community groups and in the church; learn your lessons and be models for your other siblings and friends,” she enjoined.
The Chief Commissioner thanked the bank for their donation, saying that music was an important part of the Scouts program and that the instruments would go a long way in ensuring its continuance. She also showed her appreciation towards the parents of students who continued to support the group, and encouraged their children to remain part of the program.
Education Officer for the school, Michael Blake, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to National Bank saying that his organization was “eternally grateful for the assistance … of our corporate partners when they conjoin with us ... to improve the delivery of education to our people.”
Referencing the White Paper on Education, Blake explained that the document outlined a policy that allows for students to have various means of self-expression, and that he was of the belief that the donation of the drum set to the school would help to encourage this.
“Given our history, we are convinced that whenever you beat the drums you are in fact establishing a link with your ancestors and awaking the spirits and souls of our forefathers. We also know that the slaves from whom we descend used the drums as a major means of communication, not only with each other, but also with the higher powers that they worshiped.
“Some believe that drumming is an integral part of the whole learning process that children must go through, and we are happy that National Bank has seen it fit to come onboard at this time and to participate in this exercise and ensure that the students have access to drums,” he said.
National Bank Marketing Manager Sheridan Hendrickson, in her remarks closing out the ceremony, said that the bank was excited to get involved with the Scouts program as it is seen as a positive outlet for children, and that because of this they would continue to support the school and the program to ensure a brighter future for current and future students. |
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