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| Tavo Sargeant is the first recipient of the Director's Award. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 23, 2005): Tavo Sargeant was honored by the Department of Youth last Friday when he was presented the Directors Award.
Tavo, 24, is a Customs Officer and is designated a youth partner by the ministry. Persons who have an intimate working relationship with the department and volunteers his/her time in the execution of programmes and projects as well as actively participate in various youth department-related forums are designated as partners.
These attributes played a major factor when Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley was selecting the awards first recipient. A real active person. That was my focus, he said. The person didnt necessarily have to be a member of a youth group. Once they are actively involved in youth activities.
He is a scout, a youth partner, a young man who always calls the office to find out what he can do to assist. & He was the best person in my mind to receive the award, Hanley added.
Sargeant told SKNIS that he has been volunteering at the Youth Department since 1997 when he served as a group leader at the annual Summer Residential Camp.
Since then he has been elevated to co-coordinator status for the camp and helps in other youth programmes.
Tavo explained that there were two factors, which contribute to his continued service to youths.
Mr. Geoffrey Hanley has been an inspiration for me, he said. Seeing the way he is respected by his peers and other prominent members of society for being involved in youth work motivates me.
The other is seeing the genuine appreciation of kids after youve helped them. They remember you. & Its heartwarming to know that they remember you and can speak about the positive role you play in their life.
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| Plaque award to Tavo Sargeant. |
The young man said volunteerism is important for a society to succeed.
Volunteering not only helps the cause but it helps develop you into a well rounded individual, Sargeant disclosed. You experience things (from volunteering) and it really prepares you to cope with lifes challenges. Its really rewarding and is more self-fulfilling than monetary rewards.
