Caribbean Times 49th Issue - Tuesday 12th July 2016

8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Tuesday 12th July 2016
cont’d from pg 7
multidisciplinary experience that [you]
have gained over the years to assist in
the resolution of society’s problems via
unique programmes and or policies;
You must also THINK with the
changing times- providing leadership
and expertise, developing partnerships,
and seek to aid in the resolution of social
problems through innovating thinking;
You must also continue to ACT responsibly-
by ensuring your invaluable
contribution to society is one that is
sustainable, environmentally friendly,
holistic, and relevant;
Finally, you must continue to make
a difference- by encouraging more individuals
to be part of your organization
so that your contribution to society will
be perpetuated through the generations
to come, and thus making Rotary an institution
in society.
As Minister of Social Transformation
and Human Resource Development,
it is my Government’s wish to
continue to have the Rotary Club of Antigua
as one of our main social partners,
in the pursuit of my Government’s developmental
policy and goals. In fact,
allow me to mention here our gratus to
the Rotary Club in relation to the sewing
project done in consultation with
Community Development, which was
piloted in four communities, New Winthropes,
Pigotts, Liberta and Freetown.
I am aware the project may have experienced
some challenges but despite
that I wish to assure you today that my
Ministry and by extension the Government,
remains committed to working
with you on this and any other program
aimed at empowering and enabling our
people.
At this juncture I think it wise to
give some background as to the programmes
currently being developed by
the Ministry of Social Transformation
& Human Resource Development so as
to support the mandate of Government
to alleviate poverty and to empower our
vulnerable within Antigua and Barbuda
by 2030.
The existing support programmes
under the Ministry are :
B.o.G a stipend of $260.00 per
month to assist the indigent children
and mothers, elders and the medically
challenged.
This has existed since the 1960’s
and has not changed much to suit modern
day circumstances hence through
the partnership of UNICEF, UN Women
and OAS we are putting mechanisms
in place to better structure this program.
Hence, UNICEF drafting a more
modern legislation with more appeasing
name.
UN women - meeting the cost of
building a data base program to better
monitor and note data on the assistance
government offers and to encourage
greater inter governmental collaboration.
OAS - recent opening of the financial
empowerment centre. Pilot for 2
years thereafter Government will continue
the program at its full cost.
Programs being developed:
Empowerment programs specifically
geared to single parents to assist
them in developing a skill so as to increase
their income ability and empower
them and their families. Hence we
are developing a beverage crop project
to encourage our people to consume
more local drinks. It is intended that
these producers will be guaranteed a
market with National School Meals and
the CMC.
Additionally Community Development
and Local Government will be restructured
to facilitate a full scale skills
training program for those who desire
to learn a skill to include the disabled
who may require additional support or
re-training.
We continue to address issues related
to abuse and neglect of our young
people, which continues to sadly make
up a bulk of the daily challenge suffered
by our Ministry…..sadly families,
loved ones, communities no longer
seem to be the keepers of these innocent
children and we are often faced with the
reality that the nuclear family structure
does not seemingly exist. At the moment
we have approximately 75 foster
parents and there is a need for more as
we continue to receive children in need
of placement.
In August, 2015, the Ministry
through the assistance of 3 main businesses
were able to provide 300 school
bags with books and pencils and for the
smaller ones shoes, so that we could ensure
the children of parents of the indigent
registered with the Ministry could
attend school.
We welcome Rotary of Antigua to
support in such an initiative in the upcoming
years.
we continue to offer the program of
elder care home assistants and we are
about to launch a program related to
para transit service for the elderly and
disabled with 2 custom built buses that
were provided by the Government of
the Republic of Korea.
These plans and programmes can
only be maximized and fully effective
once we work in tandem with our social
partners such as the Rotary Club of
Antigua.
I also recognize that the Rotary Club
of Antigua will require Government’s
support to ensure it continues to give
that support that it now provides and I
am more than happy to commit in giving
my support to Rotay of Antigua.
In closing, “I don’t know what your
destiny will be, but one thing I know:
the only ones among you who will be
really happy are those who have sought
and found how to serve.” - Albert
Schweitzer
I thank you.