BROWN HILL, Nevis - Ivor Walters Primary School was the first school in Nevis to benefit from Operation Future’s anti-crime educational fun packed sessions last Friday during the school’s assembly.

Operation Future, a non-profit organisation based in St. Kitts, has enrolled volunteers to fight crime through educational sessions. It is the brainchild of Constable Percival. The charity has had outreaches in all schools in St. Kitts and will visit a school on Nevis every Friday during assembly.
 
Last Friday, children were at first amazed to see uniformed police officers on the school compound and some of them whisperingly said, “They will arrest somebody.” To the children’s surprise, the police officers had teamed up with civilians who make up Operation Future to make anti-crime presentations during the school’s devotions.

It was a fun-packed session and children were thrilled by the various presentations of Police Constable Lauston Percival, Jacinth ‘Shakki’, Majic Man, Dan MacMullin, Aquila Maloney, Lyndita Powell, Vaneitta Shaw, Myrtle Nicholas and King Astral.

The founder of Operation Future, Constable Percival, thrilled the children when he got to the stage and led them in singing “hallelu…hallelu…praising the Lord prior to the educational session.
 
During the educational session, his statements were delivered in style. “Gangs are creating a lot of trouble” were some of his short messages to the children. Then a retired officer, Vanetta Shaw, read Psalms 37 for the children.
 
There were sessions when the police officers sang duets or encouraged the children to sing to qualify for Digicel gift bags. In the midst of the variety outreach were fun-packed, strong anti-crime messages.

Magic Man, a well known radio personality, is a victim of gang violence.  He told the attentive children that his dad was murdered in St. Kitts some two years ago. He said a suspect is still in custody and he would make every effort to ensure that justice prevails.

“Stay away from gangs. There are too many gangs in the Federation…you guys decide what you want. I lost somebody through gang violence. You young kids are getting out of hand,” Magic Man said.
 
He told the girls to be wary of men who offer top up in exchange of illicit sex.

“Do not let anybody lead you into any trouble. Drug dealers can use innocent children. Drug dealers can get you into trouble. At times, they are under police surveillance and you can be arrested. Stay in school and get that education. Anyone of you here could be the Prime Minister; anyone of you could be a lawyer or a police officer. I had a dream to be an entertainer and here I am,” Magic Man told the attentive children.

“Girls, do not ask men to top up your phones…stay focused,” Magic Man added.

King Astral, a past student of Ivor Walters, told the children to avoid committing crime. He said he was 39 years old but he had not succumbed to gang culture. His song, ‘Criminals be gone’, caught the attention of the children.

Jacinth ‘Shakki’ entertained the children.