Development Bank praises the Methodist Church for nurturing young entrepreneurs

Circuit Warden, Dr Christine Walwyn (left) receives sponsorship cheque from Ms Danienne Brin, Executive Assistant, Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Basseterre, St. Kitts (August 28, 2012) — An official of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is praising the Methodist Church, St. Kitts Circuit, for engaging the country’s future leaders in activities that will help in the overall economic development of the Federation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-week Annual Summer Day Camp held at the Althea Jacobs Centre, Ebenezer Methodist Church, Old Road, on Friday August 24, Head of the Business Support Unit at the Development Bank, Mr Shavon Douglas, said that he was impressed by the craft items the campers had made.

“I see the development of a number of small crafts and artefacts; it is very impressive looking at the group that has made them and so I want to congratulate you,” said Mr Douglas. “I also want to commend the church leaders pertaining to this bold initiative and also to say to you that it is the first step basically into the creating new and young entrepreneurs in our Federation.”

According to the Bank official, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is fast moving to being a service oriented economy and the craft and artefacts produced by the young children during their two-week camp would help build and develop the country’s growing cottage industry that would help bring in foreign revenue, needed to stimulate the entire economy.

Mr Shavon Douglas, Head of Business Support Unit at the Development Bank addressing campers at the Althea Jacobs Centre, Old Road.

“So I want to encourage persons who are here to continue to develop the little skill you would have picked up here in this summer camp and continue to think positively and continue to building up on the good words and the positive notes that you would have picked up at the camp,” advised Mr Douglas.

“These are little trades that can be built upon so you can eventually become your own business owners and even employ some of your fellow men within your communities. So, again congratulation to the church and the group leaders for the exceptional work that you have done in putting this camp together.”

About 80 young persons aged from six to 18 attended the camp which was held in the period August 13-24 and was facilitated by the Reverends Albèric and Joyce Rohan on behalf of the Circuit Deacon, Rev Janetta James.

The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis sponsored the t-shirts that were wornby camp participants including the facilitators. Sponsorship cheque for the purchase of the t-shirts had been presented to the Circuit Steward, Dr Christine Walwyn, by the Bank’s Executive Assistant Ms Danienne Brin, a few days before the camp assembled.

Chief camp facilitators, Reverends Joyce and Albèric Rohan (left) facilitators, Mr Stuart Warde (right) and Mr Shawn E. Revan (2nd right) with Mr Shavon Douglas.

“On behalf of the St. Kitts Circuit of the Methodist Church, we sincerely like to thank the Development Bank for their generous offer of its sponsorship this year for the summer camp,” observed Dr Walwyn. “We are very grateful that you have answered our call and to help us to facilitate the camp, to help the young people of the entire St. Kitts.”

The camp was held under the theme ‘Let us love God and one another’, and according to one of its facilitators, Mr Stuart Warde, the Annual Summer Day Camp is an event that has become a hallmark on the church’s agenda, geared towards educating and developing the children and teenagers, not solely within the Methodist community, but the entire country.

“The two-week undertaking catered to the holistic enrichment of the campers,” noted Mr Warde. “Daily, the sessions commenced with devotion and Bible study which underscored the prevailing theme. A cadre of qualified and enthusiastic professionals, including a lawyer, dentist, doctor, teacher, nurse, law enforcement office and a business owner facilitated daily sessions on various subject areas.”

These subject areas included Getting along with each other/Respect; Forgotten daily values; growing up, your body and you; The law and you; Say no to gangs and drugs; What is good behaviour; Human sexuality; Social graces; Care of the teeth; Bank and use of money; Disaster preparedness; Choosing a career; Self-esteem; and History of the steel pan.

Camp participants pose for a group picture. The t-shirts they are wearing were sponsored by the Development Bank.

“The sessions we believe, have assisted in creating and instilling life-long principles necessary to promote the overall positive development of the campers'” observed Mr Warde. “Already plans are on the way for a post-mortem of this year’s camp as we progress in making preparations for 2013.

“Certainly,it is our hope that we continue to create not just an event on the church’s calendar but an experience which teaches our children and teenagers to become better individuals; make better choices; capitalise on the wealth of knowledge that is disseminated through this camp; and ultimately make positive contributions to our country.”