By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Lodge Project, St. Kitts)—The Departments of Gender Affairs and Community and Social Development came together in a collaborative initiative to host a Boys Development Workshop for all high school males from the Lodge, Ottleys and Bourryeau communities from April 21-26 at the Lodge Community Centre.
This project aims to aid in the overall development of young boys and seeks to improve value system and build self-esteem; empower them to make well-rounded decisions; and provide alternatives to counteract self-destructive behaviors and develop sporting skills.
The project was organized by Charlotte Salters, Gender Field Officer, from the Department of Gender Affairs and Terry Morris, Community Development Officer from the Department of Community and Social Development.
“Young adolescent males at this time appear to be faced with the challenges of socialization, responsible development and their own productive engagement,” said Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, parliamentary representative for constituency #7, in his remarks at the opening ceremony.
In gratitude to the Departments of Gender Affairs and Community and Social Development, he said that programmes like these are timely given the social ills and decadence in our society, because they assist in the formation of a positive approach to life. He reiterated the need for the church, family, schools and other institutions of human formation to take their role seriously in helping young males to develop a mature approach to life and living.
Charlotte Salters, Gender Field Officer, said that she has been doing these programmes for the past seven to eight years because she cannot underscore enough that “we have to come together, pool our resources and see how well we can help these young boys because many of them are misguided. We cannot just sit back and hope and wish for change. We have to make a concerted effort to help.” “Children are ruling parents today and parents seem to have lost that authority, which is sad, and because of that it has filtered into our society. Parents have taken a back seat and the children are doing what they please,” she said. “My heart pains me to see how they are wasting their young lives and that is why I think we have to target the boys now,” she exclaimed.
In order to educate the teenagers, the programme employed an interactive learning methodology using lecture/discussion, group discussion, video presentation and role playing, field trip and sporting activities.
Mrs. Gardenia Richardson, AIDS Coordinator in the
Ministry of Health gave a presentation on “AIDS/HIV and its Prevention.”
Mr. Osbert Desouza, Manager of Basic Needs Trust Fund gave his presentation on “Making the Best of our Resources” In his presentation he focused on the importance of planning and time management. Mr. Analdo Bailey delivered on the topic, “What it means to be a Real Man.”
In his presentation he touched on the qualities of truthfulness, obedience, faithfulness, responsibility as hallmarks of manhood. He told them that God created them for a purpose.
Mr. Elvis Thomas, Truancy and Probation Officer in the Ministry of
Social Development touched on the topic of “Understanding Self and Others.”
Inspector Queely spoke on “The Law and You” in which he told the youngsters the importance of understanding and maintaining law and order and the consequences if they violate it.
Charlotte Salters said that she saw so much goodness and respect in the boys who attended.
She was somewhat disappointed that more boys did not show up.
She said that she sent out invitations to 40 homes and only half of those homes responded. She would like to let parents know that they must take a more active role in the welfare of their children by encouraging them to attend programmes that help in their intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical and psychological development. Her motto is simple:
“Brighten the corner where you are.”
