Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Gearing up for the Great Jamaican Dads Cook-off are (from left) Pastor Rudolph Briscoe, Cable and Wireless' (C&W) Rowan Wade, André Virtue of Whole Life Sports and Dwight Moore, president of Dads of Distinction. The cook-off is a Dads of Distinction event which culminates Fathers' Week, which was launched at the offices of C&W head office off Half-Way Tree Road on Wednesday, June 14. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WHO SAYS mothers are the only ones who get any credit?
Dads of Distinction (formed last year) is a non-profit organisation formed by a group of fathers looking to increase the presence of men in their families and to help men to aid positive development of their communities. The organisation launched its 2006 Fathers' Week activities at the head offices of Cable and Wireless on Wednesday. The theme for the week is 'Each One, Reach One'.
Christine Ebanks, project manager for the activities, said the aim was to improve the institution of the family through the father. The initiative goes beyond biological fathers to men in general.
MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES
One of the highlights of the week is the Youth Flex seminars to be held from June 19 to 23. These sessions will provide motivational speeches for boys. Whole Life Sports and churches within the Corporate Area will host big screen World Cup matches in the Man Flex series of workshops. Men will not only be able to watch the action-packed games, but also talk about various issues of life. These seminars are from June 25 to June 30.
The activities for Fathers' Week culminate with the Great Jamaican Dads Cookout and Family Fun Day at Devon House on June 25. There will be numerous exhibits, games and activities promoting family togetherness and plenty of rides and attractions for the children. The highlight of the day is the cook-off among various fathers. There will also be a concert starting at 6:30 p.m. which will feature the talents of Richie Stephens and Friends, Travis 'Red Rat' Wilson and Christopher Martin.
There was no lack of support for Dads of Distinction at the launch. Rowan Wade, Cable and Wireless' sponsorship manager, said the programme would help build better families which would result in better communities and a better nation.
Part proceeds of the event will go to the families of policemen slain in the line of duty.
