St. Anne’s Infant School is National Children’s Action Day Project

Young Jamaicans are being encouraged to do something for their communities through schools and youth groups on National Children’s Action Day, as part of activities to celebrate Child Month 2013, to be observed in May.

The Day, being organised by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), will be observed on Friday, May 10, and the main project is the St. Anne’s Infant School, 48 North Street, downtown, Kingston. Efforts will be made to repair its facilities, including the playground, bathrooms and surrounding areas.

Each year, the NCMC selects a National Action Day Project for the main activity of the day.

Speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, Chairperson of the NCMC, Dr. Pauline Mullings, said the Day is an opportunity to “promote community spirit” and to help children understand that “whereas they do have rights, they also have responsibilities”.

“We are asking all adults to ensure that the children from your church, school clubs and communities are involved in doing beautification programmes,” she said, adding that some children can be involved in projects such as the planting of trees or painting of pedestrian crossings. She emphasized that children must be guided by an adult before embarking on a job.

Another main event during Child Month is National Children’s Day to be celebrated on Friday, May 17. Last year, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, proclaimed the third Friday of May each year as National Children’s Day.

“This is the day when every child on the street, in your personal care, and in the school must be treated the same way as we treat Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” Dr. Mullings said.

She is encouraging all Jamaicans to wear something yellow on that Day to reflect the sunshine of children. Motorists are also being asked to keep their headlamps on to show that “we do love, care, recognise, honour and celebrate our children,” Dr. Mullings said.

Child Month was first celebrated in May, 1953, under the patronage of Lady Foote, wife of the then Governor.

By E. Hartman Reckord, JIS Reporter