Skinny, Ministry of National Mobilization raising awareness about child abuse

Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle and the Ministry of National Mobilization are working hand in hand to raise awareness about child abuse in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Doyle, along with officials from the Child Abuse Unit in the Ministry of National Mobilization, will conclude tours to several schools in and around Kingstown today.

According to Doyle, Stickman Entertainment has been doing the tour to promote the Uncle Skinny Kids Carnival, which will take place on June 16.

“Because of the impact we had last year, the Ministry of National Mobilization, along with the Child Abuse Unit, contacted us in an effort to team up to see how best they can promote their message, while promoting the fair,” he said.

Aliaka Jones, Administrative Cadet in the Ministry of National Mobilization (Family Affairs Division) told Searchlight that the children will react well to Doyle during the school tours.

“Seeing that he had done the school tours last year and the children will relate to him, in that they know him and he’s someone they can look up to, there will be a relatability factor of this is someone who I look up to talking to me, so I’m going to listen,” she stated.

Jones added that the children in the primary schools will be informed about the types of child abuse, what can be considered child abuse, who they should tell if they are being abused, among other things. Jones said a similar tour was done in secondary schools. The tours will continue throughout the year.

The Family Affairs Division will also be present at the Kids Carnival and will be in charge of the “Missing Children’s booth’, Doyle said.

He said that at last year’s Kids Carnival, children got away from their parents and were kept on stage. The Missing Children’s booth, Doyle said, would have “sweets and popcorn and all things complimentary.”

The Family Affairs Division will also be providing information on Child Abuse awareness in the booth. Jones added that information on UNICEF’s stance against Child Abuse will also be distributed, as they are lending support to the Child Abuse Awareness initiative of the Division.

The school tours included visits to Chateaubelair Methodist Primary, Layou Primary, Clare Valley Primary, Sandy Bay Primary, Biabou Primary, Sion Hill Primary, Kingstown Anglican, Kingstown Preparatory and C.W. Prescod Primary, among others.

Doyle stated that persons can expect ‘a magical once in a lifetime experience, not only for the kids, but the parents as well’ at this year’s Kids Carnival.

He added that there will also be a new attraction called “Water World,” which is a water slide with bumper boats.(OS)