For the first time in the history of Independence celebrations in St Lucia, school districts around the island were allowed to host their own rallies in commemoration of the country’s 33rd Independence Anniversary. The event which took place last Tuesday February 21st saw each district putting on its own specially planned activities. With the presence of the Minister of Education, Leader of the Opposition, Parliamentary Representative for Castries East and South-East, as well as Castries Central, the place to be was at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Complex where districts two and three held their rally.
Pastor Sherwin Griffith opened the ceremony with prayer and thanksgiving followed by a florid welcome remark by Catherine Auguste; the Education Officer for District three.The stands were filled with colourfully clad students in their uniforms from each school within the two districts—waving their national flags each time they stood to sing.
In his brief remarks, Minister for Education and MP for Castries South, Dr Robert Lewis began by quoting a text from Psalm 127:1 which says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain: unless the LORD watches the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
Lewis added, “This year St Lucia as a people celebrates 33 years of Independence, however, this milestone can only be lauded because of the fact that God has been the sustainer of our past and all that we have achieved in those 33 years.”
The minister further advised the country to seek God in all of their endeavors and to “continue to build this nation based upon, “Christian principles, values and virtues.” He admitted the existence of division among the people of St Lucia, particularly, political diversity but made a statement that sounded like words from the famous Martin Luther King Jr: “There will always be diversity but diversity doesn’t always have to mean that we are not united.”
Lewis urged the young students who are yet to face life’s major challenges and possibly become the future leaders of tomorrow: “We must not let the walls that divide us, whether it is politics, religion, the color of our skin, our thoughts, our race; these must not divide us and therefore, we must come together as a nation.”
After giving a brief history of how St Lucia attained Independence, the Leader of the Opposition Stephenson King stated that St Lucia has “made tremendous strides as a people” from 1979 until now. The MP for Castries East and Deputy Prime Minister, Philip J Pierre provided motivational words to the young audience. Twenty-seven schools from district two and three were represented at the event including the St Joseph’s Convent, St Aloysius R C Boys’ Infant, Vide Boutielle Primary and Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. Other Rallies took place in Gros Islet, Soufriere, Dennery, Choiseul and Pierrot.
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