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Child Month Annual Breakfast Feeds Young Spirits, Minds
The 8th Annual Child Month Breakfast, hosted by the Circle of Love (COL) Women’s Ministry on behalf of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), served up an entertaining and inspiring programme at Mary Miller Hall.
The child-focused event including songs, special dances and speeches is a popular fixture in May’s Child Month calendar and attracted more than 350 attendees. Among the audience were students from many of Grand Cayman’s primary schools, as well as parents, teachers/schools’ administrators and representatives of Child Month partner agencies.
Saturday’s (11 May 2019) buffet-style breakfast allowed for guests to enjoy fellowship and food before the performances began.
The packed schedule was formally opened with a welcome and opening remarks by COL President and Co-Founder Julie Hunter.
Mistress of Ceremonies, Triple C’s Principal, Mable Richardson warmed up the audience with her effervescent persona before an energetic praise and worship session by Jaedyn Hanna from Cayman Prep & High and Triple C student Jamie Ebanks.
Taking her cue from this month’s theme: “Be Strong! Be Brave! Be You!” Ministry of Community Affairs’ Chief Officer, Teresa Echenique, advised children to strive to be the best version of themselves, to value their uniqueness and explore their limitless potential.
“Someone here might actually take my seat as Chief Officer when I retire,” she said. “Someone in this audience today might actually represent our country when Councillor Harris steps down… The amount of potential and opportunities are endless and every role in our community is valuable, so to you today as children I say, the sky is the limit. Please do not allow anyone to discourage you. If you have a dream, you reach for your dream… because all is possible.”
Among the performances were Red Bay Primary who staged a poem and a Gospel praise dance, a song medley by Truth for Youth School, “Trust in You” by George Town Primary’s Junior Choir, “No Failure” sung by Wesleyan Christian Academy, “Heroes” by Sir John A. Cumber Primary, “Nobody’s Business” performed by East End Primary School (EEPS) and a lively quadrille danced by students from Edna Moyle Primary.
A powerful prayer and blessing was delivered by past Pastor of Victory Tabernacle and John Gray High teacher Cassius Feare. Other memorable moments included the self-penned speeches by student speakers which each took and expounded on one aspect of this year’s theme which COL rephrased to be Be Bold. Be Brave. Be You! The student speeches, “How to be Bold” by Dwight Ebanks Jnr. (John A. Cumber Primary), “How to Be Brave” by Hosania O’Connor (EEPS), and How to be You by Garson Gardner Henis (Prospect Primary), received universal applause for the talented wordsmiths.
Many spot prizes were given out for answering local trivia questions and for finding hidden seat prizes.
“Circle of Love Women’s Ministry is extremely pleased with the success of this year’s children’s breakfast as it is important to us that we provide meaningful venues and opportunities to positively impact the children of the Cayman Islands,” Ms Hunter said after the event.
“It was certainly a celebration of their extraordinary talent and we believe all children were encouraged and inspired to fulfill their life dreams and plans.”
The 2019 Child Month essay winners were: 1st place Chole Reid (Prospect Primary) and Amina Sureta (Truth for Youth) and 2nd place winners: De Andre Beckford (Prospect Primary) and Bella Persuad (Sir John A. Cumber Primary).
At the end of the three-hour long event, attendees were given “Be Bold. Be Brave. Be You!” goody bags containing school supplies and treats.
