Help Children Shine on Labour Day – Grange

OCHO RIOS — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, has called on Jamaicans to help the nation’s children shine this Labour Day.

She said that in addition to traditional activities such as painting buildings, planting of trees, and bushing of open lots, community members  could come together to offer mentoring services, extra lessons, health checks and other activities in keeping with the theme for the day: ‘It Takes a Village to Raise a Child’.

Miss Grange was addressing congregants at the National Workers Week and Labour Day thanksgiving service held on Monday  at the Ocho Rios Methodist Church in St. Ann.

She said the Labour Day slogan is part of Government’s efforts to encourage collective action for the welfare of the nation’s children, noting that every child must be given a chance to shine.

“The vision of the Government is that each young person, whatever his or her background or circumstance, must get the support to be healthy, safe, and educated and to make a positive contribution to society, enjoy a good quality of life and enjoy his or her youth,” she stated.

Workers Week, which got underway, concludes with Labour Day celebrations on May 23. A total of 14 national projects, focused on children, will be undertaken on the day.

The African missions in Jamaica (Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa) are joining in the celebration of Workers Week and Labour Day this year, as the nation observes the International Year for People of African Descent.

ALDEEN CAMPBELL, JIS REGIONAL OFFICE