CATEGORY:YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada correspondent
Wednesday December 20,2006


ST.GEORGE, Grenada: The Agency for Rural Transformation (ART) “After School Programme” continues to inspire and transform the lives of nationals. Close to 50 youngsters last week Thursday completed another cycle of the programme, geared to equip them with the skills to confidently face the future with hope and optimism. Over 400 youngsters have so far benefited from the initiative, which began in the year 2002.

The programme is comprised of three basic components: personal development, literacy enhancement and the revival of cultural traditions. It is opened to youths between the ages of five to sixteen. At the closing ceremony last week at the Belle Isle Community Centre, the youngsters exhibited some of the skills they have acquired. They sang, danced, read poems and played the drums, much to the delight of the many villagers and media entities at the occasion.

The ten-week exercise at Belle Isle Community Centre marked the re-commencement of the programme that was interrupted by Hurricane Ivan in September, 2004, which ravaged the country. Tutors involved in the exercise are: counselor with the Ministry of Education Edwin Felix; Head of the St David Folk Group, Tessa Mc Quilkin, and teachers from the Adult Literacy Training Association (ALTA).

One got the feel of an early Christmas as the children performed some of the notable Christmas songs. The sort of party atmosphere that prevailed, as they were showered with goodies, was very much in keeping with the Yuletide season. The After School Programme has received the firm support from UNICEF- the United Nation’s Children Fund.

Local representative, Sandra Jones, was very much impressed with the showing of the youngsters. “The kids have been fantastic. I think the programme is doing a lot for them. UNICEF is happy to be associated with this initiative, which I hope will continue for some time”, Jones said. The programme is indeed ongoing and will resume in the New Year.

General Secretary of Art, Sandra Ferguson, was also impressed with the performance of the youngsters. “I am happy to see their development over the past weeks...We will definitely continue with the programme in the New Year. I think that it is impacting positively of the lives of kids in the rural communities. We are elated that this is happening.”

The After School Programme is part of ART’s Youth Empowerment Programme, seeking the personal development of children. Over 100 youngsters from the community of Belle Isle in St David have so far benefited from the initiative.