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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 21, 2018 (SKNIS): Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said that witnessing the expansion of the Explorers movement has been a pleasure. The prime minister was sharing this sentiment with the children, parents, teachers, police officers and other invited guests at the launch of the St. Paul’s Explorers Group at the St. Paul’s Primary School on Tuesday (March 20).

 

Prime Minister Harris explained that the formation of youth groups in communities in St. Kitts and Nevis is an official initiative of the Ministry of National Security.  It forms part of the Ministry’s broader Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy and its Social Intervention Programme. The groups are being created and implemented through a partnership with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF). Notwithstanding this partnership, the prime minister said it would take all of us to get it right.

 

“It is therefore essential that all sectors of society become involved in activities that are designed to move our precious young children away from the influence of gangs and channel them into more meaningful and positive engagements,” said the Prime Minister.

 

Over 50 children have been attending Explorer meetings, most of whom attend the St. Paul’s Primary School. The school’s Principal, John Gumbs, supports the movement. He believes that children need after school activities and he thanked the ministry and the Police for bringing the programme to the area.

 

“This wave of students that is here with us today, we want to make a difference in their lives…the support that this programme will provide will be the support that they need to make them good civic citizens,” said Mr. Gumbs.

 

Head of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie, disclosed that as part of his support for the undertaking, an officer of the SKNDF will be assigned as a liaison officer to the project.

 

The group was formally handed over to Sergeant Ricardo Sampson from the RSCNPF who will oversee its meetings and he will be assisted by Kassie Mardenborough from Kittitian Hill as part of a public-private partnership initiative.