The Naima Foundation, an organization which has become a haven for children of Biabou and surrounding communities, held its official launching ceremony under the theme “Our Children, your future, guard it well!”{{more}}

Coordinator of the foundation Niesha John said that the foundation has enrolled 45 children since its inception November 13, 2011, leading up to Universal Children’s Day on November 20.

She further stated that the idea of the foundation came about as a result of her daughter, Adonia Bramble, who wished to visit a fun park for her fifth birthday, where she could interact and play with lots of children.

But, because of the lack of such facilities in St Vincent, it was John’s duty as a mother and a youth activist to create this environment for her child and this was done in the form of a play date at the Biabou hard court.

She said this play date continued monthly and the foundation developed other programmes, which are geared toward developing the children cognitively, behaviourally and socially.

Among these programmes are a book club/storytelling programme, an art, craft and expression session, a learning journey, and mentoring session, which caters for the children’s holistic development.

Parliamentary Representative for the area Frederick Stephenson, in his remarks, urged the community to continue to support the work of the foundation, saying the project is an excellent idea that can help to mould the children of the community and make them well-rounded citizens of the nation.

He also said he will always support such efforts.

Former coordinator of Roving Caregivers Programme SVG and early childhood practitioner Judith Hull-Ballah, the featured speaker of the event, appealed to parents at the gathering to show love and affection to their children and become aware of the rights of a child, especially a child’s right to education.

Also on the programme were an award and appreciation segment, which saw Adonia receiving an award from Miracle Tailoring Co. for co-founding the organization and Kennice Greene receiving the Honourable Frederick Stephenson award for being the Most Outstanding Member for 2012.

Kriscia Lynch was the Most Disciplined; Tia Lynch — Most Punctual; Karlson Jacobs –Most Participative; Carla Jacobs — Most Committed; Cassano Good — Most Enthusiastic About Play; Javier Hunte – Most Improved in Art and Craft and Expression;

Cassiana Lewis — Most Promising in Art, Craft and Expression; Sandrel Regisford — Most Improved in Reading; Kennice Greene & Karlson Jacobs – Homework and Reporting; Makayliah Kydd and Romaldo Rodgers — Most Participative in Swimming; Adonia Bramble — Most Promising Reader.

Appreciation was extended to individuals and business houses for their contributions to the foundation over the year.