Published 2 November 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 01, 2018 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, the Honourable Shawn Richards declared Youth Month 2018 officially open on Thursday (November 01) and called on all citizens and residents to seize the opportunity to uplift the nation’s youth.
Youth Month is celebrated in St. Kitts annually in November.
“The month allows us, as a nation, the opportunity to collectively recognize the achievements of some of our outstanding young citizens across numerous disciplines. It also affords us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment that recognizes their value, enables their growth and empowers them to recognize their fullest potential as productive and patriotic citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Minister Richards said, during a televised address.
This year’s theme is “Preserving Our Land of Beauty” and the deputy prime minister touched on this in his remarks.
“While it [the theme] may evoke an urge to uphold the aesthetic beauty of our fair land, we must also remember to hold true to the inherent beauty of our people,” he said, noting that Kittitians and Nevisians are renowned for being resourceful, progressive, supportive, creative, fun-loving and helpful.
That spirit of helpfulness is reflected in a number of activities that will be held throughout the month. For instance, on November 10 and 17, the designated Youth Service Days, young people will go out in their respective neighbourhoods to implement community-based projects. Adults are encouraged to assist the youth in organizing a wide array of activities such as cutting the lawn of older persons, cleaning up beaches, planting trees, and presenting gift baskets.
Other notable activities for Youth Month 2018 are a First AID and CPR Certification Training on November 03; Youth Island-Wide Bike Ride on November 04; Art Exhibition on November 13; 25 Most Remarkable Teens Awards on November 15; High School Chef Competition on November 22; High School Choir Fest on November 27; and the Youth Month March and Rally on November 30.
“I take this opportunity to commend those among us that have dedicated the time and energies to encouraging the dreams, building the skills and shaping the characters of our youth over the last year or years and indeed across a number of disciplines,” Minister Richards said.
He also invited the public to go out to support the young people as they participate in various youth month events.
