The Child Development Agency will again observe World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse with the staging of a prayer vigil and concert. The event called Bless the Children, will be held at the Mandela Park (Half-Way-Tree) on November 19, 2013, with the official function beginning at 5:00p.m.
Among the speakers at the function will be Minister of Youth and Culture, the Hon. Lisa Hanna; Minister of Education the Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, Acting CEO of the Child Development Agency Rosalee Gage-Grey and Registrar of the Office of the Children’s Registry Greig Smith and others.
The event will also feature performances by Duane Stephenson; Jermaine Edwards; Kevin Downswell; Kerron Ennis; Salvation Army School for the Blind; Allman Town Primary; Ascott High and Lister Mair School for the Deaf, among others.
Prior to the official event, at 2:30p.m. in afternoon there will be an expo showcasing government and non-governmental, child-centred organizations. Exhibitors include Office of the Children’s Registry; Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse; National Council on Drug Abuse; the Registrar General’s Department and others.
Mrs. Gage-Grey explained that each year the Agency observes the Day by staging events that will foster awareness and encourage the nation to redouble its efforts to protect the nation’s children while remembering those killed violently.
“It is crucial that we use this time to bring the nation’s attention to the issues affecting our children, and to recommit to doing all that is possible to safeguard them from all forms of abuse and violence, “ Mrs. Gage-Grey said.
Event sponsors include Digicel; Scotiabank; Jamaica Broilers and Tastee. Assistance has also been given by NCB; Jamaica National Building Society; the Development Bank of Jamaica, and EXIM Bank.
Contact: Prudence N. Barnes
Tel: 967-5905
Email: barnesp@cda.gov.jm
Twitter: @cdajm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/child-development-Agency
Website: www.cda.gov.jm