Kiwanis is about ordinary people from a wide cross section of backgrounds, professions, races and religious persuasions coming together to serve our fellow citizens and to do extraordinary things. These acts of volunteerism have a particular emphasis on service, training, youth development and leadership.

The Kiwanis Club of North St. Andrew is a club of men who are committed to making a positive impact on our world through influencing the lives of children – one child at a time. We have been doing this for over 42 years in our nation, Jamaica.

The theme of this our 42nd anniversary Child Month Supplement is “Investing in our Youth, Safeguarding our Future”. The theme seeks to put front and centre the value and treasure that lies in our human capital, especially within our youth. It is in our youth that the next cure lies for a disease which plagues us today, and it is within our youth that lies the answer for our long term success, stability and growth as a nation.

As a treasurer at a leading Jamaican bank I know first-hand what it takes to make a solid long term investment so as to preserve capital and to achieve the best returns. It is therefore against this background that I am convinced that by investing in our youth we stand to be in the ideal position to deliver the best return for our nation Jamaica. This is why the Kiwanis Club of North St. Andrew invests in mentoring, leadership development, encouraging civic mindedness, hosting youth camps, and effecting service projects in schools, children’s homes, hospitals, women centres etc.

The supplement is aimed at showcasing varied aspects of the Club’s activities related to children. Additionally, it seeks to present in one place, a range of useful thoughts, ideas, tips and information related to children, their care, protection, guidance and development. We hope the public will find it useful.

If you are a parent, teacher, relative, pastor, care giver, or community member please join the battle on the front line to care, protect and develop our youth. Investing in our youth is the surest way to safeguard our future.

Additionally, if you are one who shares a deep passion to serve, then I encourage you to make your contribution and impact right where you are in your community. You are also encouraged to join a service club such as the Kiwanis Movement and impact our world.

Vice President, Mark Anderson

Chairman, Young Children Priority One (YCPO)