St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas announced Wednesday during in his independence message that the initiative is to be pursued in collaboration with the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis along with the Private Sector and NGO community. The Program will respond to the training and skills needs for the employed and unemployed citizens, especially those who have recently completed their high school, university and college education at home and abroad.
“By doing this, we will not only increase productivity among the employed but we will also unlock the potential for innovative start-up entrepreneurship as we drive the economy toward positive growth,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
“ On this twenty-ninth anniversary of our independence, however, look at how we, as a people, have used our expertise, our vision, and our wherewithal to ensure that our country has its own, independent source of funds, to advance the public interest: Funds to educate our children, funds to strengthen the tourism industry, funds for our farmers, funds for training, construction, sports, and so much more – all through our internally created Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation,” said the Prime Minister.
He said he was stressing the importance of gratitude and hope on this Independence Day not only because they are key to healthy living, but most importantly because this year’s Independence theme is “Cherishing Children, Strengthening Families.”
“This is how we cherish our children. This is how we strengthen our families. And this is how we build a nation, a proud nation that is equipping itself to meet the challenges of the ‘Human Age.’ So, as we mark this anniversary, there is indeed much for which to be thankful. And our hearts should, indeed, be filled with hope,” Dr. Douglas told the Nation.
“It is my wish that throughout the duration of our anniversary celebrations – and beyond – Kittitians and Nevisians will be filled with both a sense of gratitude, as well as a sense of hope. It is my wish that we be filled with a sense of gratitude because there is, indeed, so much for which to be grateful. And it is my wish that we be filled with hope because it is through our ability to see God’s many mercies – both in our lives, as well as in the lives of others – that our hearts become filled with that keen awareness of Life’s tremendous, and often magical, possibilities,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He added that the most important parental attitude in the rearing of children is gratitude – gratitude for the lives of the children and gratitude for having been given the sacred opportunity to shape them into decent, respectable human beings.
Douglas said, it is only when one is grateful for children that it is truly possible for us to cherish them.
He also wished for a spirit of hope for all, because hope creates that spark of positivity, perseverance, and resilience that we, as a people, must instill in children whether as parents, teachers, or simply good neighbors in order that they may fulfill the special potential that resides within each and every one of them.
“It is hope that will make them try, try, and try again when the life seems too difficult…when a confusing chapter needs to be read one more time…when the skill that is being taught seems impossible to grasp…when they’re just plain tired. It is hope that will stop them from ever thinking that they just shouldn’t care…because hope makes the impossible, possible. And this we must help them to understand, as we strive to constantly improve ourselves as a free and independent people,” said Dr. Douglas.