During the month of November, last year, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Anguilla Red Cross, conducted a rigid course of training in the program, “Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light.” The training focused on the signs and implications surrounding sexual abuse in children. On Wednesday, February 27th those who participated in those sessions were awarded with certificates.
Some 129 adults benefited from the program that was geared towards educating them on ways of dealing with children who may be experiencing child sexual abuse and learning how to prevent it. The course was facilitated by Ms. Jennyville Smith, Certified Trainer for “Stewards of Children: Darkeness to Light”.
The ceremony was chaired by Mrs. Kiesha Gumbs-Bibby, Social Development Planner, and the event opened with prayer by Pastor Elmead Allen.
Mrs. Gumbs-Bibby mentioned that, on behalf of the Ministry, she was indeed grateful to Ms. Heather Stuart of UNICEF who was instrumental in acquiring funding for the support of the program.
“UNICEF’s Deputy Representative for the Eastern Caribbean, Ms. Muriel Mafico addressed the awardees by saying: “First I would like to thank Anguilla for reaching out its hand to UNICEF and for embracing this partnership which aims at strengthening social protection systems of this country.
“I would like to let you know that 2019 is a special year. It marks the 30th anniversary of the Rights of the Child, and it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the gaps. One of the gaps that is glaring is the aspect of the protection of our children, our most resourceful asset. There is nothing that is more horrific than child sexual abuse. It is a negative life-changing experience, with life-long impacts. Two out of every five girls in the Caribbean experience sexual abuse, and one out of every four boys in the Caribbean experience child abuse.
“We also know that child sexual abuse happens in the very places that supposed to be safe for children. It happens in the homes and communities. What is also disturbing is that the perpetrators are not strangers, but they are relatives who the children know —some fathers, uncles, cousins stepfathers — all of whom should be providing care, support and protection for the children. This is the ugly reality that we face.
“But I am not here today to focus on ugly realities, but I am here to celebrate with you your achievements. You went through the Darkness to Light Training, and you are now the stewards of children. This is a very significant role, for you are now qualified as part of the protective fabric that children need and deserve so that they can have a healthy childhood which allows them to become productive and balanced adults as they grow up.
“So, on behalf of UNICEF, today I celebrate your achievements. We wish to congratulate everyone who has participated in this program. We celebrate the 129 who have completed the training and we welcome you today as Stewards of Children.”
The Hon. Evans McNiel Rogers, Minister of Health and Social Development also spoke at the ceremony. In part, he encouraged and congratulated the awardees by saying: “ In recent years we have made significant strides in safeguarding our children. We have made strides, but we still have far to go. The Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light training in which you have participated is another important component in strengthening our child protection system.
“It is critical that we sensitize the persons who regularly interface with our children to ensure that they are in a position to identify signs of sexual abuse and to respond appropriately. You are now in a better position to identify signs of child sexual abuse at to report any suspicions to the Department of Social Development.
“So I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of you on the successful completion of the training. I thank you for your interest and willingness to confront this ugly scourge of child sexual abuse. I would like to personally thank UNICEF and the Anguilla Red Cross for their support in executing this training.
“As we continue to endeavour to make Anguilla free of all forms of child abuse, we will need support and commitment from all of you to make this happen. I would like to take a quote from Fredrick Douglas: ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men and women.’ So let us work towards creating an Anguilla where no child is ever broken.”
Facilitator Jennyville Smith, who conducted the training, came in for some high praises from the Chairperson, Mrs. Gumbs-Bibby. She spoke of her as being cool, calm, collected, organized, engaging, and passionate in general and about the subject at hand. “Teamwork with Ms. Smith to conduct the training,” she said “was like clock-work. She was certainly on point during the planning and execution phases, and she is to be commended for volunteering her time energy and expertise.”
Ms. Smith presented an overview of the training, and Red Cross Representative Ms. Mervette Bryan made remarks pertaining to the Red Cross work in the program. In addition, a participator’s feedback was given by Mr. Olivia Hodge-Gumbs, who shared a brilliant account of her learning experiences during the course of her training.
Overall, the “Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light.” Training program was hailed as a resounding success.
