Re-dedication of the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Child Care Center (RLBCCC) continues a vision of the First National Hero, says PM Douglas

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas speaks at the ceremony.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 16TH 2012 (CUOPM) – The re-dedication of the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Child Care Center (RLBCCC) significantly continues one of the visions of the First National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw.

Speaking at the symbolic handing over and re-dedication ceremony, National Political Leader of the governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said rededicating the building also known as the Bradshaw Youth Center, in Dorset, continues the vision which Bradshaw had when he left the building in his Will to be used for nation building.

In his remarks Prime Minister Douglas noted that the ceremony is taking place on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labor Party which embodied the Labor Movement of this country to recognise the worth of a worker and the path played in the economic development at that time of the country.

“The worker 80 years ago was not recognised. He provided labour for the benefit of the profiteering planters who owned the sugar estates in this country. The worker was not recognised as a human being, because there was very little social development that was catered for him. Housing was at a terrible state. He was not educated. His children were to grow up and also work in the sugar canefields,” said Dr. Douglas during the ceremony at which Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor; Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Marcella Liburd; President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Mr. Clifford Thomas; Union Treasurer, Mr. Frank Farrell and Christophe Harbour Chief Operating Manager, Mr. Le Grand Elebash spoke.

(Left to right) – Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Marcella Liburd; Christophe Harbour Chief Operating Manager, Mr. Le Grand Elebash; Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor.

Dr. Douglas noted that when the Labour Movement started back in 1932, some 80 years ago, it was really to ensure that the worker in St. Kitts and Nevis would have a significant place and position in the economic, social and political development of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“It is significant to mention that, because it was in this month of January that our great party the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party was founded some 80 years ago,” said Dr. Douglas, who joined the President in the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union (SKNTLU), Mr. Clifford Thomas in noting that there was an initial dedication of the same building to its present cause in 1995.

Prime Minister Douglas made the observation that when Sir Robert Bradshaw, his colleagues and comrades, started out, it was when the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis was being totally led by sugar agriculture.

“The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union – the Labour Movement out of the struggles of the worker in the sugar canfields. We as a government has being very fortunate to be in a position to see the transformation of the national economy from one of sugar agriculture to one of services – financial, tourism and hospitality and information and communication technology,” said Dr. Douglas.

Children at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Child Care Center (RLBCCC) at Dorset.

He used the opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to the developers of Christophe Harbour for contributing to the renovation of the building in assisting in realizing the vision and the dreams of the late Rt. Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, our First National Hero – in the education of children.

“I want to thank the team for the significant contribution that you have made to ensuring that the dream of our First National Hero is kept alive in the contribution in refurbishing of this building,” said Dr. Douglas.

“On behalf of the government and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, on behalf of the great St. Kitts-Nevis Labor Party of which I have the privilege to lead at this time, and on behalf of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, I thank you again for your generosity and for your support in advancing the cause of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Douglas.