Wednesday 15th February saw the launch of a rebranded Kut and Shape Boys Mentorship Programme as a collaborative venture of the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Holiness Church with support from the Department of Gender Affairs and the St. Paul’s Primary School. Kut and Shape was first initiated in 2013 providing free haircut and mentorship opportunities to at-risk boys of the St. Paul’s Community. The launch ceremony, chaired by Mr. Daryll Lloyd, Christian Education Director of the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Holiness Church, brought together key stakeholders at the St. Paul’s Community Centre, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the Boys Empowerment Initiative.
In delivering his Welcome Remarks, Director of Gender Affairs, Mr. Virgil Jeffers expressed high commendations to the partner agencies and encouraged the boys to embrace the programme wholeheartedly as it is being done in their best interest. He stated that, “today, we are delighted to launch this chapter mentorship. This mentorship programme is unique as it is a collaborative effort among the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Holiness, St. Paul’s Primary School and the Department of Gender Affairs. There is none like this anywhere on island and for this you boys should feel proud to be a part of such an initiative and all stakeholders should be applauded”.
Principal of the St. Paul’s Primary School, Mrs. Joyce Rawlins-Buchanan, lauded the programme and declared that her school was indeed excited about the opportunity to be a lead partner. She posited that Kut and Shape is designed in such a way that all stakeholders stand to benefit immensely from its delivery. Principal Rawlins-Buchanan highlighted benefits such as further development of parenting skills, enhanced parent child relationship, improvement in the attitude, behavior and academic performance of the boys who are deemed the main beneficiaries of the programme. She ended by encouraging the boys to visualize how the Kut and Shape programme will pave the way for them to lead purposeful lives and become productive men.
A synopsis of the programme was delivered by Mr. Terry Morris, President of the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Men. He indicated that this rebranded version of Kut and Shape has a more comprehensive approach and will employ strategies that augur well for wider reach, greater impact and more sustainable results. Mr. Morris provided some insights on each of the key components; Personal Empowerment, Parenting Skills Enhancement, Mentorship, Academic Support and Social Support. He cited that structure, impact, partnership and sustainability as the programme’s cornerstones.
Mr. Mario Phillip represented the Department of Gender Affairs on Nevis and spoke especially on behalf of their Boys Mentorship Programme. He engaged the gathering commending the boys and their parents for recognizing the value of the programme and encouraged them to maintain a level of interest that will ensure the achievement of its intended results. Mr. Phillip pledged his fullest support towards the successful implementation and encouraged the sharing of ideas and hosting of joint activities among similar progammes across St. Kitts and Nevis.
The declaration of the official launch was made by Pastor Mrs. Renicia Huggins, Pastor of the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Holiness Church, who used the opportunity to share some words of motivation to the respective beneficiaries of the programme. She focused especially on the boys who are the most important persons in this whole initiative and must be the key element of our planning to ensure maximum outputs are derived from the programme delivery. All beneficiaries, she noted, must remain mindful of their roles and exhibit the desired commitment to serve with the advancement of the boys in mind. Pastor Huggins saluted the Department of Gender Affairs and the St. Paul’s Primary School for recognizing the good that can be derived from the Kut and Shape Programme and partnering with the church to make it a successful and sustainable endeavour.
Mr. Franklyn Huggins, Vice President of the St. Paul’s Wesleyan Men, distributed contracts to the mentors, and the ceremony climaxed with the Vote of Thanks being delivered by Mr. Dion Browne, Gender Officer with oversight of Men and Boys programming.
The Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency 6, could not attend the ceremony due to an overseas work engagement. He however sent his “commendation to the various groups and the Department of Gender Affairs for their efforts in restoring this Programme to give much needed assistance and empowerment to at-risk males in the Capisterre environs of our country”.
Some of the mentors, mentees and parents
Gender Officers, Mr. Dion Browne (St. Kitts) & Mr. Mario Phillip (Nevis)
with some of the boys and their parents
