Saint Lucian Youth - the focus of an OAS funded community programme
|
|
|
Contact: Julita Peter
Thursday, June 25, 2009 – As the time inches closer for the launch of the Community After School Programme, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Transformation Donavan Williams, says the programme is expected to make inroads into communities where there are negative activities affecting children and youth.
Conceptualized by the Ministry of Social Transformation, the Community After School Programme, will give children the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities after school hours.
According to Mr. Williams, crime and other high risk behaviours perpetuated by young people, call for immediate and direct intervention.
“That action has to be action that is targeted, innovative, engaging of the persons we are trying to assist, proactive and above all is empowering. I think the after school programme, when you look at the concept design has all of these features,” Williams added.
Mr. Williams says the mandate of his ministry to transform society is a challenging one. He says the ministry will be collaborating with several social partners to ensure the longevity and expansion of the programme.
“I know that the officers are even more excited than I am, because they are on the ground and they know the kind of impact this kind of initiative will have. I am convinced that as long as we continue that kind of collaboration and partnership with all key players, we will have a programme that will do us proud and will be effective in transforming the lives of those young people who need us most,” he noted.
The Organization of American States has contributed over seventy thousand US dollars towards the Community After School Programme, which will be piloted in four communities, namely Faux- A-Chaud, La Maz - Choiseul, Mon Repos and Monchy.
The programme will be launched in July 2009. |
|
© 2009 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
