The focus was on the family during the Department of Community Development’s Family
Month, which ran from May 15th
– International Day of the Families, through to June 17th
– Father’s Day.
The celebration, held annually to highlight the importance of family life to the nation, saw a wide
range of activities in different communities around the island – all of which allowed family
members, from young to older, to strengthen their bonds, learn skills, and have fun together as
one body.
In describing the activities, Community Development Officer for Zone two – Central Basseterre
to Trinity, Mr Delroy Prentice, noted that the Department hosted Movie Nights in several
communities, giving residents the opportunity to come out, socialize, and relax to a family-
friendly movie, while partaking of delicious treats. A Family Fun Day, in which parents and
offspring were rewarded for the end of a successful school term, was also held at the Irishtown
Primary School, with children enjoying bouncing castles, movies, horseback riding, and other
delights.
The month’s activities further included Informational Sessions with parents at various pre-
schools, to discuss various ways of strengthening family bonds, the Donation of Schoolbags
(donated by Ms. Edris Lewis) to Primary Schools in McKnight and Cayon, and the Gifting and
Planting of soursop trees, to encourage families to use and benefit from the health properties of
this local fruit.
Mr. Prentice declared that the month was successful, stating “Family Month went extremely well
this year – the initiatives launched were fresh and welcoming to the community. We now have
more to do because persons were so thrilled with the Month that they are expecting more
community events from the Department”.
He said that community cohesion would have been strengthened because of the Month of
activities, and that the Department looks forward to continuing its community-building efforts
for the rest of the year.
