Class 3 student donates sign to police

After seeing a need for appropriate signage being erected in Barbados’ Central Police Station, a young 10-year old girl took matters into her own hands and decided to fill that void.

Marian Kaji, a Class 3 student of the Wesley Hall Primary School, visited the police station recently with her father, and upon exiting the complex, she noticed a lack of signs which would have directed her father, Mubin Kaji, towards the appropriate exit. Taking it upon herself, the primary school student returned home with the drive to correct this absence by designing her own sign for the officers to use from now on.

So much was the Station Sergeant Paul Vaughan, and Superintendent Margaret Stephen, impressed with the young girl’s community spirit and generous nature, they invited her back for a formal, but small handing over ceremony of the new sign which was promptly erected in the station
office.

Superintendent Margaret Stephen was proudly on hand to speak briefly on the circumstances that led up to the young girl developing the idea to design a sign for the station.

“As you can see, [this part] of the station has recently been renovated. So signs were not put in place; she and her dad attempted to leave via the door in which they had entered and the station orderly said you must exit this way. Apparently the child went home and said she did not see a sign, and that she needed to get a sign for [the station]. We did not know of this, but yesterday morning she did turn up with a sign, and the father then explained to the station sergeant what had occurred. However, in my mind, it would not have been good enough just accepting the sign and not showing the positive vibe and the positive way in which it was given,” the Superintendent said.

Also on hand for the presentation was the Principal of Marian’s School, Mr. Herbert Gill, who was beaming with pride at the kind act his pupil did for the officers.

“Well I am elated; yesterday when I got the call from Superintendent Stephen and she explained to me what the circumstances were, I said we as principals and teachers try to instil good manners and [values] in our students. I would use this as an example for other students and tomorrow at prayers I will let students know and encourage them to do good things as they go forward in [life].”

When asked how she felt about her important deed, young Marian, who was also being supported by her mother Hamidah Kaji, said “I feel really great.”

Superintendent Stephen also pointed out how this generous donation occurred during Child Month, and though many in society only speak of the bad some young persons do, there are a lot of young people out there who do great things.

“Believe me, I come into contact with a lot of children, so I know that there are a lot of positive children out there. All the children definitely need [is] someone to guide them, they need confidants. We talk about role models, but they need confidants. More so confiding in someone who would show you when you are right or when you are wrong.”

Young Marian also received a certificate and a gift basket of appreciation from the officers of the station.