CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IT started out as a mission to enlighten the youths “on the corner” about the teachings of Jesus Christ; it developed into an electrical workshop and progressed to a state where some of them are now applying their new skills in the work environment.
In an age when the country’s young men are increasingly turning to gangs for a sense of belonging, Reverend Euclid Lawrence has decided to take a giant step to point them in the right direction.
Pastor Lawrence started his assignment in the Brown Pasture area with special attention given to the ‘Pancho corner’, where a number of youths congregate.
According to Lawrence, an electrician, after he got their attention the idea came to him that he could impart some of his knowledge to them. They were interested in his proposal and he set about putting his plan to work.
Lawrence approached Minister of Youth and Social Development Hon. Hensley Daniel who agreed to provide the material for what turned out to be a six-week training course.
“It was a basic course. They were able to do some conduit wiring and some surface wiring,” Lawrence told SKNVibes.
Lawrence said the response was so favourable that the Ministry requested he hold another course in Cotton Ground. “So we have done one in Cotton Ground and are preparing to do another for Low Street and Craddock Road.”
The first course had about 15 youths while the one in Cotton Ground had 16.
According to Pastor Lawrence, one of the youths has even gone on to work fulltime with an electrical contractor.
Lawrence was however careful to point out that the workshops were not the primary focus.
“The workshops are really the cart. The horse is introducing Jesus Christ to the guys as an alternative to the lifestyle that they had going.”
He continued: “That is how I want to do it. Not the other way around, because if you train 10 electricians and they have not changed their attitude and behaviuor then we still have a basic problem in the community. So, I believe that a lifestyle with Christ, then a change of attitude and a change in behaviour will come. So that is what we are really aspiring for.”
A number of the young men Reverend Lawrence reached out to are also now attending church on Sundays at the old St. John’s Primary School.
According to Lawrence, as the youths on the corner warmed to his teaching, he decided that he would hold a service and invite them.
“The owner of the shop on the corner invited us to do the service there but I don’t think the Lord was leading us there. So we did it at the school. So after we did it they said ‘why not come back the next Sunday?’ so we did.”
Lawrence said the project could be described as a success in more ways than one, since the church has evolved from it all and some of the youths are off the block and now working.
“There is a need in the community. We are hoping to reach them and I think in time we will.”
One of the youths to benefit from the outreach is Maurice Stapleton, who now accompanies Pastor Lawrence when he visits in the community.
Stapleton, who described himself as being someone “who limed with them but never really smoked and so on”, said the progamme is a very good one.
“Some of the guys were there and getting themselves in a lot of trouble. Since he (Pastor Lawrence) came they ease up. They respect him a lot. Whenever he comes they would turn down their music. They would listen to him preach.”
Stapleton continued: “Having been one of them, I know their thoughts and I’m working with Pastor Lawrence to try and bring them around. They are coming slowly.”
Stapleton had a lot of praise for the six-week electrical course which he said brought together the “Red” and the “Blue”, the colours by which the two major gangs in Nevis are identified.
“The Pancho area is known as the Red ground, and then he went by the Blue (Cotton Ground) and carried a few of us over. So we end up intermingling.”
Maurice said the electrical course has helped him a great deal in his construction field, since he “doesn’t have to call somebody to do every little thing”. He said some of the others who were not skilled have moved on, and at least four of them are now working with electricians.
“So, at least, we have moved four guys off the block.”
Minister Daniel also praised Lawrence’s initiative.
“It is dealing with that critical component - the behaviour component - and he’s gotten them in church. So, we are letting it gel, but it is to connect and reach out to them.”
The Minister said that, most importantly, it is another way for the youths.
Minister Daniel said Lawrence is leading by example and connecting the work of the youths with their social development.
“I think the young men appreciate him reaching out to them and we would wish this to be done in all communities in Nevis.”
According to the Minister, it is a tremendous opportunity to reach young people who could otherwise be dangerous to themselves and to the society.
“That is where our outreach efforts are directed at right now.”
