The Rotary Club of St Kitts joined in the cause championed by the National Aids Secretariat, to ensure that our local community neither ostracizes people living with HIV/AIDS nor exhibits prejudice and unfair treatment toward them.  During 2007 the Club targeted young adults, at an HIV/AIDS consultation with youth (grade 11) in partnership with the St Kitts Tourism Authority.  The children’s book formed part of the Rotary Club of St Kitts youth HIV/AIDS awareness programme, this time targeting students in the primary schools. 

The children’s book is designed to educate students of grade 6 on:

1) preventative mechanisms in relation to contracting HIV;

2) responding to persons who have already contracted the disease; and

Additionally, the book aims to inspire persons to be assets to their family, community and country regardless of their circumstances or age.

It was only fitting, that the book was launched at the Bronte Welsh Primary School, which was adopted by the Rotary Club of St Kitts in 2008.  The launch took place on Tuesday 23 June 2009, and was attended by:

-         Mrs Rita Cable, Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education

-         Mrs Kathleen Allen-Ferdinand – Chairperson, NACHA

-         Ms Daun Hazel, Principal of Bronte Welsh Primary School

-         Mrs Norma Depusoir, Deputy Head Teacher Bronte Welsh Primary School

-         Carol Ottley-Mitchell, who assisted with the layout and publication of the book.

-         Ms Kerryanne Amritt – author of the book, and member of Rotary Club of St Kitts (RCS)

-         Mr Robert Morris, Vocational Service Director, RCS

-         Ms Betty-Ann Gilbert, President, RCS

-         Ms Leah Sahely, Assistant Governor, RCS

President Betty-Ann Gilbert of the Rotary Club of St Kitts gave the opening remarks stating that the Club was happy to implement this project and hoped that it would indeed make an impact.  The book received high acclaim from all the attendees. Dr Allen-Ferdinand, Chairperson, NACHA, commended the author, Mrs. Kerryanne Amritt for the compelling, easy to understand language bringing the message of HIV in a real way that could be understood by children and parents alike; and the illustrator, Michelina Hazelle, (daughter of Rotarian Ambassador Hazelle) for the culturally appropriate illustrations that captured the message beautifully.  She further stated that St Kitts-Nevis has once again been at cutting edge in tackling the HIV pandemic, as the children’s book was a first for the region; and such a book should be distributed throughout the Caribbean basin.  She commended the Rotary Club of St Kitts, Immediate Past President Leah Sahely for initiating the idea and President Betty-Ann for seeing it through to completion.   Mrs. Rita Cable applauded the historic book produced by locals, and stated that she hoped that the children will take the book home, as parents too can benefit from the message.  She added that the book appeals to young and old alike, and should be placed in doctors’ offices in the Federation.  Mrs. Kerryanne Amritt gave a brief overview of the inspiration for writing the book and said that she hoped that the book did not only teach the young persons about HIV prevention, but that it would touch them and encourage them to be the best they can be.  Mr. Robert Morris thanked all the persons who helped make the book a reality. In addition to those persons mentioned above, he thanked the World Bank, the primary sponsor of the project, Seaboard Marine Limited and Hobson Enterprises for facilitating the distribution of the books and Mrs. Patricia Hobson for editing the book. 

The books were then presented to Ms. Daun Hazel, principal of Bronte Welsh by Ms. Leah Sahely and Mr. Robert Morris.

The children’s book will be provided to students of Grade 6 in all the primary schools in the Federation free of cost.