St Kitts and Nevis: Long before he entered politics, His Excellency Ambassador Ian Patches Liburd, the Permanent Representative of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, founded a ministry that is providing early Christmas cheer to the citizens of East Basseterre.
On Wednesday, December 8, the children of St. Christopher One got a taste of Christmas early when the upper section of Stainforth Street, at Liburd’s constituency office is located, was closed to accommodate the distribution of Christmas toys to the many eager children who showed up, the majority of whom were accompanied by their guardians including their parents or older siblings.
At the conclusion of the tremendously successful event, Liburd stated, “Today was a continuation of my Ministry of Giving. I’ve been doing this ministry for a long time, long before I got into politics. This is what we refer to as a Christmas toy distribution to the constituency’s less fortunate children. It’s something I’ve been doing for a long time, even before I started running for office.”
Children were overjoyed to receive a variety of toys, including those tailored to older boys and girls, such as roller skateboards and dartboards, as well as general toys for the younger ones. The Ambassador’s picture was printed on the outer box of each toy, along with the inscription ‘Season’s greetings.’ May this holiday season be full with love, joy, and happiness for you always serene, Ian Patches Liburd.
“Today was a special day for kids,” he said. “They took it in stride — they’re all so ecstatic that some of them did it twice.” The most essential thing was that we had enough toys to deliver to everyone. When you arrived, the throng appeared to be quite large, but we were able to please everyone, and that is what matters to me.”
The Ambassador mentioned that he has some school supplies that he plans to bring as well, but that he should hold them rather than giving them at this time. On Friday, December 10, he will continue with the Ministry of Giving, distributing coupons to around 200 single mothers in the constituency.
“So, even though I’m out on the outskirts, I’m still doing my Ministry of Giving,” he explained. “It’s heartwarming to offer joy to children in particular, and their parents by extension, during a time like this, the Yuletide season, especially in a period like this, when we’re dealing with a coronavirus-induced epidemic – things are tough for the people, and some don’t have work,” he says.
Ambassador Liburd claims that after returning home for the Christmas vacation, he has been distributing ‘non-pharmaceutical instruments,’ such as hand sanitizers and masks. Beach Allen’s alma school, Tucker Clarke, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Primary Schools, as well as the Basseterre High School, have received these, with the Washington Archibald High School standing out. The ‘non-pharmaceutical tools’ were also given to the Newtown Health Centre by him.
“We’ve extended far and wide throughout the community so that we can reach everyone,” Ambassador Liburd explained. “We’re in the process of distributing 300 food baskets, which I refer to as mini-barrels.” We did, in fact, give to 24 tenants of the Wellington Road Condominium Project on Sunday (December 5), each of whom received a present and a food basket.”
