Showing the value of children is far more important than many might think. This is the message of the 18th annual observance Child Month celebrations which begins on 1 May, 2014.

To raise public awareness of the importance of these actions, the Ministry of Community Affairs, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Child Month Committee will be promoting a month of public information and education events throughout the Cayman Islands.

It begins with a celebrity reading day to be held at all pre-schools in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The annual church service led by the children, to commence with the celebration of activities will take place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church located on Smith Road. The following weeks of activities will include radio education sessions on promoting responsible parenting, board games evening, teen disco in Cayman Brac, movie evenings in Bodden Town and George Town and so much more. With ongoing partnership, activities will be promoted with the National Museum, Family Resource Center, RCIPS, Circle of Love Women’s Ministry, Youth Services, and Feed Our Future.

Encouraging national participation, Minister responsible for Community Affairs Hon Alden McLaughlin said, “Child Month is a time to engage in fun and frolic – but it is far more than just that. We all have the responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of our children is of our paramount interest. It is important for all members of our community to recognize that our children do have the right to be loved, protected, trained, inspired, motivated and empowered to become responsible citizens of their country. We must all acknowledge that there is no other duty more important for us in our role as parents, community members and leaders of our country.”

The annual event aims to provide parents, family members and other adults with the resources that they need to promote positive and encouraging role modelling behaviour and attitudes for children today and every day of every month – especially in May.

For a full list of Child Month events or for more information, contact DCFS at

946-0290.