Child Month 2016 – “Healthy Children Build a Stronger Nation”
The Full Story
Since 2012, the year Jamaica celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence, through a Proclamation by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, the third Friday in May is celebrated annually as National Children’s Day. For this year’s Child Month, the theme was, “Healthy Children Build a Stronger Nation”, with the sub-theme being, “Our Children, Our Jamaica”.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, received a cheque of $500,000 on April 19 on behalf of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), from The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), one of the main sponsors of the Child Month activities. The cheque was to provide support for the National Children’s Day activities on May 13.
The National Child Month Committee (NCMC), over the years has been tasked with the planning and execution of activities relating to the enhancement and empowerment of Jamaica’s children, especially during the month of May, which is dubbed as ‘Child Month’.
The donation enabled the National Child Month Committee (NCMC) to move Children’s Day activities beyond the Corporate Area.
Main Events for Child Month 2016:
- Sunday, May 1: National Church Service – Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Braeton Pathway, Portmore Pines, St. Catherine
- Friday, May 13: National Children’s Day Celebration – Transport Centre, Half Way Tree, St. Andrew; Parade, Downtown, Kingston; Spanish Town Bus Terminal; Black River; Mandeville; Montego Bay
- Wednesday, May 25: International Day for Missing Children
- Friday, May 27: Start of Ananda Awareness Week
- Saturday, May 28: Children’s Health and Wellness Fair – Douglas Orane Auditorium, Wolmer’s Boys School, Kingston
“For the first time in the history of Child Month, we’re going to the second city, Montego Bay. We are also going to Ocho Rios, St. Ann and central Jamaica,” said State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green.
The National Child Month Committee (NCMC), which is made up of members from over 23 governmental and non-governmental organizations, on Friday, May 13, journeyed to Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Black River and Spanish Town to interact with children on their way to school for a special Children’s Day event organised by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC). The students were presented with token; stickers bearing motivational messages such as “I am special;” and received words of encouragement.
Hundreds of children from Allman Town and communities in the Cross Roads area of Kingston, benefited from a health fair organised by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC) on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Douglas Orane Auditorium, Wolmer’s Boys’ School.
Children received free dental, eye and hearing tests, vaccinations and general health checks from medical practitioners. The children were also treated to face-painting, bounceabout and mechanical bull rides, and refreshment.
Participating agencies for the Health Fair included: Early Simulation Programme (ESP); Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR); Road Safety Unit; Early Childhood Commission (ECC); Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA); Child Development Agency (CDA); National Parent to the Next Generation; Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ); National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC); Carlong Publishers; Diabetes Association of Jamaica; Jamaica Child Evangelism Fellowship and Jamaica Association for the Deaf.
Sponsors for Child Month 2016 activities were: GraceKennedy, National Baking Company Foundation, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the National Health Fund, Caribbean Broilers, Scotiabank, KFC, Sagicor and the Management Institute for National Development (MIND).
News Stories:
Church Urged to Help Counsel Abused Children
Children Our Number One Priority – Green
Students Given Special Treat on Children’s Day
Children Should Enjoy Their Childhood – Dr. Maurice Smith
Education Minister Urges Parents to Put Children First
Hundreds of Children Receive Free Health Care
Videos:
Child Month May 2016 Calendar and Daily Tips:
(Please click to see enlarged image)
Child Agencies in Jamaica:
