Daughter of Denise Dawson Sabrina Dawson and her grandmother Maria
Gardner who formed the foundation for her daughter. Photo: Provided
PURCELL, Tortola, VI - The Denise Dawson Back to School
Ministry, along with The Purcell Methodist Church and the Purcell Girls
Brigade, has once again welcomed children from the surrounding community
to its back to school event, which was dubbed a success.
On Saturday August 22, 2015 at 4:00 pm approximately 100
children came out to the event held at the Purcell Community Centre,
which opened with a short ceremony with Purcell Girls' Brigade
Lieutenant Tammi T. David as the chairperson.
According to David, the back to school event was started by Denise
Dawson who passed away on May 29, 2013. Her Mother decided to create a
ministry called Denise Dawson back to school ministry as this is what Ms
Dawson would have wanted.
The event had an opening prayer, songs, bravest child award for each
age group, a word from Honourable Alvera-Maduro-Caines and a
motivational talk on a number of P words by the Principal of Enid
Scatliffe Primary School Mrs. Valerie Charles Welsh.
During the presentation, Principal Valerie Charles-Welsh, utilised a
number of words starting with the letter P that encouraged students to
focus on as they start the new school year. Through interactive
activities students in various school uniforms were used to role play
key concepts of her presentation.
These included:
P – Be Prepared (with adequate, supplies, mentally, spiritually)
P- Plan carefully
P –Display Proper behaviour at all times
P -Be Positive
P- Be Polite
P- Be Persistent in achieving your goal.
P-Be Prayerful and always include God in everything.
Principal Charles-Welsh also took the opportunity to share Ephesians
6:1-3 and they were encouraged to obey their parents who are the key
partners in their growth as they learn.
Parents were also given a handout of a quote by Dr. Haim Ginnot,
which read: ‘Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes
an impression’. At this point, parents were encouraged to make a
positive impact on their children by guiding and supporting them on
their journey to success. Principal Charles-Welsh also applauded the
Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines as well as the family of the late Denise
Dawson for partnering in sourcing the Back-to-School items for the
students.
The session was an interactive one with many of the children indicating that they have learnt something about the letter P.
After the session the children enjoyed a social session of meeting everyone there as they snacked on light refreshments.
At the event, the children also received back to school bag packs
filled with school supplies. The pre-school and stages 1 and 2 children
received draw string bags with colouring books, crayons, pencil,
sharpener, penmanship book and activity book. The primary school and
high school children received tote bags with pencils, pens, rulers,
sharpeners, books, highlighters, binder leaves and binders.
Event dubbed as a success
Speaking to this news site today August 25, 2015, David said that
event was a success as the number of participants continues to grow.
“It was bigger this year. The event is usually held at the Purcell
Methodist Church but we decided to take it to the Community Centre
because the community is growing and we saw from last year that it was
more than the church could hold,” she said.
“This is something that Denise Dawson always had the passion to do
and her mother decided that we have to continue her legacy,” said David.
The Girl’s Brigade is an inter-denominational organisation, whereby
children of any church can be a part of the group. It is part of a
global Christian movement with a passionate vision for this generation
and the future.
According to a press release, the group is committed to seeing lives
and communities transformed and enriched as individuals seek, serve and
follow Jesus Christ.
The Purcell Girls Brigade meet every Saturday afternoon at the
Purcell Methodist Church from 3:00 pm to 4:30pm. For more information
persons can contact Ms Tammi T. David on 544-3110.
“A special thank you to Sabrina (Ms Dawson’s daughter) and Sedrick
Dawson (husband) for their continued support towards this event. May her
soul continue to rest in peace. We would like to say a special thank
you to Qwomar Trading, Onemart Store, Price Lo Mini Mart, Eustace 'Boss'
Freeman and Hon Maduro-Caines for their contribution towards this
event,” stated the press release.
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