CDA Highlighting Importance Of Family Life Through Poster Competition

In an effort to promote greater awareness and understanding about the importance of family life for the healthy development and protection of children, the Child Development Agency (CDA), has launched a national poster contest for children between the age of 6 and 12 years, under the theme: ‘Family is Love’.

Director of Policy, Planning and Evaluation at the CDA, Audrey Budhi, told JIS News that the competition was part of the activities organised for the inaugural Foster Care Recognition Week, which would be observed from February 12 to 19.

“Foster care week is the first phase of our family life improvement programme, where we want to promote the healthy development of our children and also galvanise the public in spreading this message across the country,” she explained. The inclusion of the competition as part of activities for the week, Miss Budhi said, would serve to generate more dialogue on children’s expectations of family. “We want children to start exploring the meaning of family, because when we talk about foster care it involves taking in children to join your own families and also treating them the same way as you would your own children,” the Director said. With this in mind, entrants will be required to express their understanding of the concept of family and love. This could include looking at some of the things that families do together as well as the ways in which family members show their love for one another.

Submitted posters will be assessed by a select panel of judges, who will choose the winners based on adherence to the theme, originality, creativity and visual effectiveness. Prizes include $20,000 for the best poster, while the second and third place entrants will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Participants are being reminded to mail or drop off posters at the CDA, the Oceana Complex, 2-4 King Street, Kingston or any CDA office islandwide before the February 19 deadline. For further information, persons are encouraged to telephone 948-6678/948-7026 or e-mail the agency at childdev@anbell.net.