Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698075589285.pdf (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
April 15th, 2019 Volume 2, Issue 2 Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services Inside this issue: The Newsstand 1-4 House Matters 5 Working Scenes 6-7 School in Session 8-9 On de Playground 10-11 Notice Board Contact Us 12 12 COMMUNITY CORNER Eat local!

Farmer’s Market now open at New Horizons Interested in farm fresh produce?

is taught at the facility and has Check New Horizons!
The Reha- enabled the residents to gain theo- bilitation Centre is now offering retical knowledge and practical various herbs for sale, courtesy experiences” she said, adding of a Hydroponics project which that the residents have en- began on the compound last dorsed the idea of selling the year.

produce to the wide commu- nity, and that it has assisted with their business skills and Principles of Business course- work.
New Horizons’ hydroponics shade house The coordinator informed that some of the produce is used to prepare meals for the residents, and that a portion is offered to the nearby Grange elderly resi- dence, but that the Centre is now looking forward to selling some of the extra produce as part of the New Horizons’ Farmer’s Market programme: “The project was created to give the opportunity for citizens to have an insight into the skills the residents have developed in the Hydroponics system.
This skill, amongst others, Monies raised from sales will go towards the residents’ bank accounts.

At the moment, $5.00 bags of parsley, thyme and spinach are available for sale.

Persons wishing to support this initiative can make orders by calling 667-8136, after which delivery arrangements will be made.
New Horizons Case worker and part-coordinator of the project, Ms. Shiraine Williams said that the residents at New Horizons have been engaged in hydropon- ics farming (a method of grow- ing plants with minimal/no soil), over the last six months, under the tutelage of Mr. Daniel Ar- thurton, who volunteers his time and farming experience to teach residents the skill as well as help nurture the produce, which is grown in a shade house.
Noting that the residents are always excited and eager to work on the ‘farm’, Ms. Williams indicated that the residents are normally split into groups, with each group assigned for one hour each day to groom the plants, which include thyme, chives, lettuce, tomato and spinach.

Disabled persons empowered through knowledge “Empowering through Knowledge – Everyone matters” was the theme of a workshop for persons with disabilities held on February 11th, at the McKnight Community Centre.
forty persons of the disabled community in attendance, was organized by the Department of Social Services with the aim of providing information that participants could use to en- hance their lives.

Minister Wendy Phipps made key remarks at the workshop, encouraging participants on the importance of continual self- development, and fielding questions from eager attendees.
The rest of the… (cont’d on pg 3) The workshop, which saw over Page 2 2019 Women’s Day Awardees “Find out the reasons that young people do what they do, instead of just seeking to punish them... or put them in jail” Volum e 2, Issue 2 THE NEWSSTAND Inspirational Women awarded on Women’s Day The tranquil gardens of Gov- ernment House was the set- ting for a midmorning Inter- national Women’s Day Awards Ceremony, which saw nine positive women being awarded for their con- tributions to society.
bly the nine Women’s Day awardees.

In echoing the Day’s theme, “Think Equal, Build Smart and Innovate for Change”, the Deputy Governor praised the contribu- tions of women and urged them to continue being positive forces for their communities.

“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind’ she encouraged, “as positive change is urgently need- ed”.
She heralded the contri- butions of her own ‘model woman’, her mother -who, she said, “had no degrees, but was God-fearing, loving, caring, gener- ous... smart, joyful, and focused until she reached her goal”.

She urged women to embrace their similarly beautiful inner quali- ties.
Several women of character were lauded at the event, nota- The Ceremony, which was held on Friday, March 8th, and organized by the Gender Affairs Department, was graced with the presence of Governor General His Ex- cellency Tapley Seaton, Dep- uty Governor Her Honour Hyleta Liburd, Honourable Minister Wendy Phipps and other members of Cabinet, as well as representatives of non-governmental organiza- tions and private sector agen- cies, as well as students.
They are: Ms. Yvette Wallace for education and education and community outreach; Ms. Eugene Warner for elderly care; Ms. Telca Daniel-Wallace for disaster management; Ms. Jacqueline Douglas for culture; Ms. Elcina Henderson for youth volunteer- ism; Ms. Patricia Rawlins for entrepreneurship; Ms. Biesha Christian for technology; Ms. Arabella Nisbett for Agriculture; and Ms. Venetta Warner-Laws for entrepreneurship (Prime Minister’s Award).
The Gender Affairs Department and the entire Ministry extends congratulations to all women for their invaluable contributions to our country.

Presentation to past Gender Director Ms. Ingrid Charles-Gumbs; Female drumming corp. (credit: SKNIS); CIBC First Caribbean cheque donation Youth workers trained to see Youth in a different light family, to see how he could bet- Effective strategies for en- aim of the training was “to equip ter understand them.
He noted gaging with youth was the those critical agents in a youth’s life that the facilitator emphasized focus of a Child and Adoles- with the understanding of Positive the importance of seeking to first cent Development work- Youth Development.

With this understand delinquent youth, shop, held from February understanding, participants will and to “Find out the reasons that 28th- March 1st, at the Ocean learn simple and effective ways to young people do what they do, instead Terrace Inn.
engage young people through a of just seeking to punish them imme- strengths-based, empowerment ap- diately or put them in jail”.

proach”.

The training included topics such as Understanding Adolescent Development, Positive Youth Outcomes, and the Compe- tencies of a good Youth worker.
The training was facilitated by Mr. Haniff Benjamin of The Centre for Human De- velopment, Trinidad & To- bago, and attended by over thirty participants from dif- ferent areas of work, includ- ing social services, probation, and counselling.

Mr. Benjamin said that the par- ticipants were fully engaged in the training process and grateful for the information shared.
He expressed the hope that they would be able to “see youth from a different perspective and treat them differently”, once they return to their respective areas of employ.

Attendee Mr. Keith Warner said that the training was “very in- formative” and led him to reflect on his experiences with teens in Mr. Benjamin noted that the Mr. Benjamin stands with course participants Volu me 2, Issue 2 THE NEWSSTAND Disabled persons empowered through knowledge cont’d Pa ge 3 (cont’d from pg.
1)... day saw talks from entities such as Social Se- curity, which presented on the ‘Availability of benefits for persons with disability’, the National Housing Corporation, which presented on the topic of af- fordable housing, and the Coun- selling Centre, which presented on ‘Availability and accessibility to counselling’.

The Departments of Gender Affairs and Social Ser- vices also played their part, giv- ing talks on the role of their departments in assisting persons with limited abilities.
Ms. Erslyn Bridgewater, Admin- istrative Assistant and part coor- dinator of the workshop, ex- pressed that the session went Minister Phipps engages with workshop attendees well, and that participants indi- cated that they would be able to use the information for their future personal development.

She noted that, as an inclusive organization, the Ministry would hopefully hold more empower- ing workshops for the group in the future.
Members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SKNAPD) were also well represented at the workshop, including Assistant Secretary of the Group and advocate, Ms. Mary-Nurse Clarke, who volunteers her time to work with disabled persons on a regular basis, assisting them with various challenges.

She expressed satisfaction at the workshop, and reinforced the need for continued support for persons in the disabled commu- nity.
“Although you have a disabil- ity, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an ability”, she emphasized.

Federation represented at United Nations Gender Meeting One of the world’s largest meetings of gender equality was held from March 11th – 22nd in New York – the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The annual gathering brings together global leaders, heads of gender bureaus, non-profit organisations and private sector actors at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, to discuss the status of women’s and girls’ rights across the world .

Attending the Event were Gen- der Affairs Head Ms. Celia Christopher and Caricom Youth Ambassador, Ms. Mauri- cia Pemberton.
Ms. Christo- pher informed that the Event was attended by over one hun- dred participating countries of the United Nations, and that each country was given the op- portunity to present its country report on the advancement of women, with focus on the 2019 theme, 'Social protection systems, access to public services and sustain- able infrastructure for gender equali- ty and the empowerment of women and girls’.
In addition to the presentation of country reports, Ms. Christo- pher noted that many high-level meetings were held during the 63rd CSW gathering.

“The sessions were very intense.

We discussed a number of issues, including social protection, sexual and reproductive health, international labour organi- zation matters, and human rights issues”.
She indicated that mem- ber countries were also expected to present their official positions on contentious issues – an exer- cise that called for much negoti- ation between the participating countries, including the St. Kitts Ms. Celia Christopher, Gender Affairs Director delegation, and the United Nations panel.
The Gender Director laud- ed the skill and input of 2nd Secre- tary of the St. Kitts Nevis Mission to the United Nations, Ms. Asha Desuza, who facilitated the negoti- ation process on behalf of St.Kitts- Nevis, noting that the opportunity to observe and make input into the discussions was very interesting and enlightening.

The Federation’s report was pre- sented by His Excellency Sam Condor, St. Kitts Nevis Ambassa- dor to the United Nations.
Counselling Centre presents at workshop “Although you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an ability” U.N Commission on Status of Women (Credit: U.N) Page 4 THE NEWSSTAND Volum e 2, Issue 2 Community officers to continue outreach in communities Following the move of community offic- ers into community centres around the island in April 2018, Social Services Di- rector (Ag.)
Ms. Ann Wigley says that the placement has gone fairly well, but that she is hoping to see even more outreach to the public in the coming year.

form allowances.

In elaborating on the job of a community officer, Ms. Wigley emphasized “it is really a social job.

We are supposed to know persons in the community, check on them, build relationships, and so that if they have any problems, we can help, and they can feel comfortable coming to us”.
Social Assistance Officer Ms. Rhyllis Watt- ley seconded this invitation, noting that traf- fic was sometimes slow in her area (Tabernacle/St.

Pauls), but that those who visited the Centre were often appreciative of their services.

She recalled that the Ministry had taken the decision to place community officers away from their former offices at Victo- ria Road to community centres across the island, so that they could be in closer contact with community members.
This, she noted, would help them to better assist the public with various concerns, as well as better accommodate persons from rural areas who wished to apply for the Ministry’s social assistance pro- grammes, such as burial, medical and uni- Ms. Wigley advised that the officers typi- cally have ‘field days’ once weekly when they out in the villages checking on per- sons there, but that for other days in the week, they can be accessed at the commu- nity centre in the respective Zone.
She reminded the public that the officers are there to assist, and that persons could feel free to visit them during the hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm (except on Fridays).

The public is asked to note the updated numbers for the Community officers at each Community Centre: Zone 1 (East Basse- terre/Newtown Community Centre) -762-3483; Zone 2 (West Basseterre/McKnight Community Centre) - 7670482; Zone 3 (Challengers-Sandy Point/Fig Tree /Old Road Community Centre) – 767-0483; Zone 4 (Newtown-Christ Church/St.
Paul’s Commu- nity Centre )– 763-6483/ Tabernacle -762-3482, and Zone 5 (Molineux to Canada Estate/Cayon Commu- nity Centre) – 762-1483/466-7321.

Helping professionals trained to better ‘Understand Suicide’ Guidance counsellors, mental health professionals, child protection officers, and New Horizons staff are better equipped to ‘Understand Suicide’, after a training on the topic held from Febru- ary 26th-27th, at the NEMA Conference Room.
ation annually to volunteer their time and expertise in various areas of need.

Ms. Scott looks on as attendees participate in exercise Counsellor at the Counselling Centre, Mr. Davin Francis, said that the topic was chosen based on a mini-poll done at a previous training, in which helping of- ficers indicated that suicide was one area in which they needed more guidance.

He stated, “With suicide and suicidal ideation coming to the surface in recent years...it was important to offer training on the topic.
The discussions and training materials presented at the workshop would greatly assist professionals in helping others and the wider population as a whole”.

Ms. Scott, a health professional with vast expe- rience in brain trauma and learning and behav- ioural difficulties, expressed that although the topic was a ‘heavy one’, the participants were receptive to the information and motivated to use it to help their clients in need.
The training was organized by the Counselling Centre and facilitated by Ms. Janis Scott of the Global Faith Alli- ance Group, a conglomerate of reli- gious professionals who visit the Feder- Mapping of Disabled and Elderly population gets underway A project to map the disabled and elderly populations in St. Kitts is getting under- way, according to Social Assistance Of- ficer, Ms. Lavern Richard.
she noted that a team consisting of her- self and Community Officer Mr. Keith Warner have been travelling throughout the country, having consultations with community members, and gathering in- formation as necessary.

She noted, “We started in Cayon and have visited Tabernacle already.
The intention is to go around the island until all the communities are covered.” In speaking of the overall objective of the project, Ms. Richard informed that the intention is to create a complete working registry of elderly and disabled persons, with the help of the Information Technolo- gy Department.
This database, she added, would assist the Ministry in being able to link disabled or senior persons to necessary services and support, such as senior’s clubs or social assistance programmes, as well as provide key data to inform future pro- grammes and services.

She noted that “we want to get a better look at our numbers...to see what assistance is being provided and what is out there to access, and to help us improve their lives and development over all”, she said.
Ms. Richard noted that the Ministry wanted to have a better understanding of the numbers of elderly and disabled per- sons living across the country, and partic- ularly those who were not affiliated with clubs, groups, or associations, such as the Golden Year’s Club for the elderly, and the St. Kitts Nevis Association of Per- sons with Disabilities.
To that end, she Volu me 2, Issue 2 THE NEWSSTAND Pa ge 5 STAFF MOVEMENTS Deputy House Parent Appointments Mr. Craig Jules Resignations Ms. Celine Phipps Home Care Officer Centenarian’s Corner Samuel Depusoir Challengers Age 103 Una Duporte Cardin Home Age 103 Bridget Davis-Brazier Old Road Age 101 Norma Stapleton Laguerite Age 102 Condolences to Ms. Larissa Riley, on the passing of her mother, Laura Manners Newtown Age 100 Joseph Powell The Village Age 101 Congratulations!!
and Ms. Zahra Jacobs, on the passing of her father 6 April - Janet Hodge 23 April - Azilla Clarke 28 April - Delroy Prentice 4 May - Simeon Clarke 12 May - Sonia Tyson 20 May - Janan Stapleton 23 May - Frances-Ann Taylor 27 May - Venecia Wharton 2 June - Idona Walwyn-Matthew 3 June - Janelle Lewis 3 June - Glentine Wattley-Sutton 9 June - Donarette Sharry 27 June - Shaneze Sam 27 June - Jeweleen Manners-Woodley HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Page 6 WORKING SCENES Volu me 2, Issue 2 New Horizons shares information at National College, Career & Health Fair East Basseterre Mgmt.

Team swim class: Team VP Kevin Taylor and instructors get eager young swimmers ready for the morning session ‘Bunny’ relaxes after a busy day Positively regal!
PCPS staff celebrate Black History Month with African wear “Appreciating each other” - young volunteers assist elder patrons at the Elderly Appreciation Luncheon on Volunteer Day, while Ms. Wigley makes remarks (above) Volu me 2, Issue 2 WORKING SCENES Pa ge 7 Community Development Officer Delroy takes a picture break at the workshop for persons with disabilities Women’s Day gems: Executive Officer Marecia (r) and young poet, D’Gene Why so serious?
Ms. Nurse-Clarke is a passionate and serious advocate for those with disabilities!

(pictured at workshop for disabled persons) Attendees at the ‘Understanding Suicide’ workshop complete an exercise Administrative Assistant.

Ms. Bridgewater brightens her office with this radiant smile!
Beautiful in blue: Gender Affairs staff open Wom- en’s month of activities with a service at the Catho- lic Church Page 8 SCHOOL IN SESSION Volu me 2, Issue 2 Name: Lyncia Dore Position: Case Manager, Social Services Favourite colour: Blue Favourite snack: Planter’s unsalted nuts Favourite type of music: Reggae Favourite hobbies: Reading, Hashing, Watching Netflix Favourite holiday/time of year and why: Christmas!
“It’s the time when everyone comes together to show love and togetherness” WHAT ARE THE SDG’S?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets that all UN Member States have agreed to achieve by the year 2030.

How do you think St. Kitts-Nevis is progressing towards these goals?
Source: https://www.who.int/sdg/en/ (World Health Organization) Volu me 2, Issue 2 SCHOOL IN SESSION Page 9 CO-PARENTING TIPS by Ms. Glentine Wattley-Sutton, Probation & Child Protection Officer Be committed to your role as parent: Before we start talking about how we can work together as parents, we first have to want to be parents.

Being a parent cannot be forced on any individual, each of us has to make that personal commitment to the role.
This should go beyond the success of your personal/romantic relationship with the other parent.

That is, if your relationship ends, your commitment to being there for your child should not.
Commitment calls for: -Being present and responsible -Active involvement -Surrendering your time, effort & resources -Exerting patience and understanding -Having the ability to grow with your child Communicate with each other: Within our Department, we see first-hand the effects of poor/nonexistent communication on parent- ing.

Communicating with the other parent is vital to successful co-parenting and should continue even if the parents are no longer romantically involved.
Keep in mind that parent-to parent communi- cation is essential in ensuring the safety and well being of your child.
Communication in co-parenting requires parents to: -Set rules & schedules to which each would abide -Exchange information and update each other -Avoid jumping to conclusions; ask for clarification -Refrain from accusing but instead discuss -Cooperate in decision-making Respect each other: Co-parenting is an option that works when both parents support each other and respect their right to have a good relationship with their children.
It is often a flaw that the custodial or primary parent becomes a controlling fig- ure in the child’s life so much so that it illegimates the other parent’s role.

As parents, we should adopt a mutual respect for each other’s parental duties and rights, time and effort, and each other’s specific rules for our child.

We should always remember that respect given is respect earned.

Create mutual guidelines: This refers to that minimum standard that parents can agree on as to how to raise their chil- dren.
It is here that we as parents discuss the basic principles and values we would like to bestow on them.

It is also im- portant that the messages we each deliver to them be consistent, which would thus make them more powerful.

As parents, we need to discuss our visions or hopes for our children and how we can all work together in making these a reality.

Expect challenges & capitalize on each other’s strengths: Relationships are hard.
We must tend regularly to them if they are to flourish and be positive manifestations in our lives.. Co-parenting calls for understanding, the ability to be flexible, and a willingness to compromise to reduce conflict.

Life is never constant, and although setting and communicating rules, schedules and guidelines is important, the unexpected will happen, which then requires a little understanding and a bit of compromising and rearranging to ‘keep the balance’.
Sometimes, challenges may arise because of different expectations, and we may have to work a little harder and longer to establish a ‘middle ground’ in which we both can feel comfortable.

Furthermore, co-parenting does not shield us from the challenges of parenting.

Each year our children spend in this world, they become more exposed, more informed and more enlightened about the world around them.

Sometimes, the newly found knowledge presses against your parental preference.
Nonetheless, when we co-parent, we are a stronger, more focused, and more open unit, and in a better position to address these types of challenges.

It also allows for the benefit of capitalizing on the other parent’s parental strengths in addressing various challenges and setbacks.

Finally, remember what is most important: Co-parenting, at its best, is a wonderful opportunity for children to have both parents present and active in their lives.
Parenting is a process in which we are exposed to new things everyday and we learn new skills in hopes of being good or better parents.

At the center of what we do as parents, are our children.

They are the prime beneficiaries of our actions.

Everything we do as parents should promote our children’s best interests at all times.
Raising children to become well-adjusted adults works best when we can put all personal grievances aside and show our chil- dren that our love and dedication to them is enough for us to work together for their well-being, enabling and supporting each other along the way.

Let’s all recommit ourselves to being better parents and establish the co-parenting principle in our family lives.
Page 10 ON DE PLAYGROUND Volu me 2, Issue 2 FIRST DAY TRUE STORY One bright morning in the middle of the night two dead boys got up to fight Back to back they faced each other Drew their swords and shot each other A deaf policeman heard the noise and ran to save the two dead boys If you don't believe this lie is true ask the blind man, he saw it, too.
contributed by Ms. Shaneze Sam (Author: Palmer Proffitt, Preston Proffitt, dec., Junior Norris, dec ) Ingredients 3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil 3 large eggs (whisked) 1 teaspoon ginger, minced 1 teaspoon garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1 can Corn Beef, flaked 1/4 cup carrot, diced 1/4 cup green and red sweet pep- pers, diced 3 stalks escallion, chopped 1 can Whole Kernel Corn, drained 1 cup Rice, cooked 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 4 persons Directions 1.
In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp Oil.

Pour in the whisked eggs and scramble.

Remove eggs and set aside.

2.

Add remaining 2 Tbsps Oil to the skillet and sauté ginger, garlic, onion, corned beef and toss well.

3.

Add diced carrot, green and red sweet peppers, escallion (i.e green onion) and whole kernel corn and toss well.

4.

Add cooked rice, scrambled eggs, soy sauce and all purpose seasoning and toss well.

5.

Serve immediately.


contributed by Ms. Jacquilin Christopher (Source: Grace Foods) Volu me 2, Issue 2 ON DE PLAYGROUND Pa ge 11 COCONUT BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING Ingredients 250 g Butter, melted Directions  Preheat oven to 160 degrees C 8 slices Plain bread or Fruit bread and 2 tbsp dried fruits  Butter a baking dish (ideally, 4 slices of bread should fit in the dish in one layer).
3 Eggs 60 g Caster sugar 4 Tbsp Dessicated coconut, lightly toasted 1 tsp Orange, finely grated zest 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 350 ml Coconut milk  Butter all 8 slices of bread on both sides and sit 4 in the dish  Sprinkle with half the toasted coconut  Whisk the eggs, sugar, orange zest, vanilla and coconut milk together and pour 1/3 of the mixture over the bread  Lay on the next 4 slices of bread, sprinkle with the remain- ing coconut and pour on the remaining egg mixture.
1 to serve—Cream/yoghurt, or fresh fruit  Press the bread gently into the cream mixture QUOTE Do you know that anger is one letter short of danger?

 Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the custard has set.

Insert a sharp knife or toothpick to check—it shouldn’t be too moist.

 To serve, simply scoop the pudding into a plate and scat- ter with fresh fruit, adding runny cream or yoghurt if you like.

contributed by: Ms. Pauline Adams– Browne The word evil is just one letter short of devil.

NEVER HAVE I EVER….
NEVER HAVE I EVER….

Give yourself 1 point for each thing you haven’t done… contributed by Mr. James ‘Bunny’ Pemberton Gone scuba diving Played ‘Mas’ Flown a kite Eaten jerk chicken Flown on LIAT Played marbles Eaten whelks Cleaned fresh fish Played netball or cricket Gone fishing Been on a ferry Gone hiking Drunk mauby Eaten black pudding The first person with 3 points or less wins a prize!

(Call x.
1523 to claim); Source: Vintage Caribbean UPCOMING May 15th - International Day of Families (Social Services) May - May 31st - Family Month Activities (Social Services) Centenarian’s Day (Social Services) End of June- Senior’s Fun Day Event (Social Services) The Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services will develop and implement culturally sensitive customer service initiatives, by using evidence-based data to guide strategic decision- making in order to advocate for human and child rights and integrate gender main- streaming, family wellness and creative enterprise, to enhance the development of an inclusive society.
CONTACT: The Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services Victoria Road Basseterre St. Kitts Telephone number: (869) 467-1020/ Fax number: (869) 466-1552 Email: deptsdcga@yahoo.com Departments Administration - 467-1020 Social Services & Community Development - 467-1314 Probation & Child Protection Services (PCPS) - 467-1311 (PCPS hotline: 662-6833) Social Protection Implementation Unit (SPIU) - 467-1523 Gender Affairs - 467-1397/662-2035 (Domestic violence hotline: 662-5492) Finance - 467-1276 Counselling Centre - 465-5000 New Horizons Rehabilitation Centre - 662-5624 Community Corner is a publication of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services.
It is compiled by the Social Protection Implementation Unit and will be circulated quarterly to staff and other stakeholders in social services.

To contribute, please contact Ms. Jeweleen Woodley at jeweleenwoodley.govkn@gmail.com