Build Communities of Hope and Inspiration around Children – Minister McKenzie
By: , May 5, 2024
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, places a floral tribute at the Secret Gardens monument, which bears the names of children, who have lost their lives under tragic and violent circumstances. Occasion was the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) Child Month ceremony held at the monument, downtown Kingston on Sunday (May 5).
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Hon. Marsha Smith, lays a wreath in memory of children who have died under tragic and violent circumstances. Occasion was a Child Month ceremony organised by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) at the Secret Gardens monument, downtown Kingston on Sunday (May 5).
Photo: Mark Bell
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, pays his respects at the Secret Gardens monument, which honours children, who have died under tragic and violent circumstances. Occasion was a Child Month ceremony organised by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) at the monument located downtown Kingston on Sunday (May 5).The Full Story
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is calling on all members of society to protect children and build communities of hope and inspiration around them that promote respect for life.
He made the appeal while addressing the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) Child Month ceremony at the Secret Gardens downtown Kingston on May 5.
The monument, erected in 2008, bears the names of children who have died under tragic and violent circumstances.
“As we reflect on the life of those who never had the opportunity to shine, let us try and ensure that no more names under tragic and violent circumstances are added to this monument,” Minister McKenzie implored.
“Let us become more responsible (for our children). Let us seek to protect the lives of our children and to build a sound and secure future for our young people because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he added.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Hon. Marsha Smith, in her remarks at the ceremony, called for an all-of-society approach to protecting the nation’s youth.
“It is a call to secure the peace of Jamaica. We must therefore stand up for our children and keep them from harm. We must speak out for their welfare and their well-being. Let us protect the rights of our children because they are our Godly heritage. Even as we cherish the memory of those who we have lost, let us resolve to create a world where every child is protected, valued, and cherished,” she said.
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, said that while there was a six percent decline in child abuse reports last year, the numbers are still far too high, and more needs to be done to protect this vulnerable group.
He cited statistics from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), which indicates that 14,130 preliminary child abuse cases were registered with the agency in 2023, in comparison to 15,068 recorded the previous year.
Councillor Swaby said the KSAMC condemns all forms of violence against children and urged collaboration to improve upon the existing interventions to treat with children who have been victims of abuse and trauma.
“We must find solutions to this crisis. We need to lead a campaign to rescue our children from the criminal underworld and from those whose intention is to kill and destroy them,” he said.
“We are appealing to civil society to collaborate with the Government to help us to find a way to implement initiatives geared toward rehabilitating our children who have been affected,” he said.
The KSAMC will be hosting month-long activities in observance of Child Month in May under the theme: ‘Stand Up! Speak Out! Protect the Rights of Our Children.’