Parents, teachers, students and well wishers I greet you all on behalf of the KASSSI family.
Ken And Sadie Student Support Initiative..is better known by the Acronym (KASSSI). Founded in July 2007 by the Walcott family, its aim is to stimulate educational aspiration of families and individuals whose potential is limited by financial hardship and social exclusion.
The focus in the immediate future is to take KASSSI towards an extension framework of charity, which will reach a greater percentage of residents in Petersville and other communities. It is hoped that KASSSI will develop into a resident-driven community-building initiative that is self-serving, in order to create more positive opportunities and outcomes for all the children who live in these areas. We aim to develop an integrated network of services and support that will provide assistance in: family stability, employment opportunities, quality education and youth development activities for adolescents and young adults.
We believe these objectives are achievable, but only if we as a people are prepared to go back to the basic principles of looking out for one another, be our brother’s keeper, pay attention to a child’s needs even if we are not connected biologically. We believe that if we seek to engage our children in the social, historical and cultural activities of our nation; seek to promote positive attitudes; it is more likely that these children will grow into responsible and fulfilled members of society.
Despite the many challenges we face daily, we urge you to be cognisant of the task ahead, with the added knowledge that children are the future of any nation, and therefore our best long-term investment. Just think of the joy and pride we feel when they are successful and achieve their full potential.
In closing, I congratulate six students that were awarded certificates of excellence for their attendance record and performance in the KASSSI reading programme here; they are: Lamont Lawrence, Jovaine Brown, Romaan Lawson, Seybastian Bliss, Travoy Sterling and Demus McPherson. These youngsters have shown that we can achieve our potential when we apply ourselves. I want to encourage them to continue to excel, I hope they will take these positive attitudes with them wherever they go and that these positives will continue to be a guide to themselves and others.
I could not conclude without mentioning the persistently hardworking teachers, who in most cases, go beyond their normal call of duty to ensure that our children achieve. We salute you teachers, keep up the good work and keep our nation moving forward.
May God bless you all as we continue to work hard to achieve our true potential and a better quality of life for all.
We thank you,
K. Kenton Wright
Chairman
KASSSI
Ted
