The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE Purpose Awareness organisation founded by Antonia Lightbourne was started last year in effort to spread the message of purpose not only in The Bahamas but the world at large.

On Saturday, the organisation is gearing up to host an empowerment session and talent showcase at the Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace.

Calling the initiative “Kids n Purpose”, the event will run from 11am to 2pm and feature entertainment, games, prizes and more for children aged six to 12, all hosted by Janiqua Armbrister, Purpose Awareness group public relations representative.

Ms Armbrister said it is important that children know that purpose does not start at a specific age. She believes all persons are born with a purpose that can be discovered and tapped into at any age.

“I need the kids to know that they don’t have to wait until they are teenagers or adults, they can walk in purpose now. I believe that every child who attends this event will leave feeling a sense of value and definitely a sense of purpose. I believe they will leave feeling empowered to make a difference in the world around them even at a young age. I also think it will be beneficial to them because as the Bible puts it, if we train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it. So I expect for the event to have an impact that will carry throughout their lives,” she told The Tribune.

Ms Armbrister said the talent show segment will shine light on their gifts and talents allowing them to share such gifts with audience members, all while encouraging participants to know that they can do anything they put their minds to.

“There are so many adults that never took a step toward their dreams because they were told as children that they weren’t good enough or that they weren’t capable. We want to create that environment that will build confidence and allow them to know that nothing is out of their reach. We want to take the age and time restraints off of purpose and inspire our children to be great now, to make a difference now, to pursue their dreams now and to live a life of service to God and to others, which is the ultimate reason for us being here,” she said.

Above all, she is also looking forward to hearing the children’s views about purpose and change, believing sincerely the quality of the future lies in the quality of everyone’s deposit into the next generation.

“I feel it is important to continue hosting events such as this so that our children will have opportunities to be influenced positively and in turn positively influence others, rather than being negatively influenced by everything else out there and instead continuing that cycle,” Ms Armbrister said.

Kids can register today at www.purposeawareness.com or via email at purposeawarenss@gmail.com. Registration cost: $15.

• See today’s Weekend section for more on Prupose Awareness Month