BASSETERRRE, St. Kitts – IN response to ever-growing social ills a group of young, vibrant Sandy Pointers has emerged with fresh plans to empower the residents of the north-western town and inspire positive social change in that area and beyond.
Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout (SPIRIT) has begun a positive movement in that area by attracting enthusiastic community-minded youth to ensure the empowerment and advancement of each resident through broad-based programmes.
Speaking to SKNVibes, SPIRIT Public Relations Officer Chevaughn Richards informed that although the group has just recently been established, the interest and community support that it has received so far is overwhelming.
“SPIRIT sees itself as an agent of significant change in the town of Sandy Point. It provides an opportunity for individuals to properly channel their energies into making a long-lasting, meaningful, positive impact on the lives of Sandy Pointers.
“It’s something that is not only needed but it is also being sought after. Everybody is trying their own little thing, so now SPIRIT can act as an umbrella to these individuals.... People are concerned and many are willing to help; many Sandy Pointers are willing to sacrifice their time for the betterment of the community and I am confident that SPIRIT can provide that opportunity,” Richards said in a soft media launch of the youth initiative earlier today (May 7).
SPIRIT is unbiased to any political group, religious organization or ethnic group and seeks to bring together individuals from the various areas in Sandy Point. According to the Draft SPIRIT Charter (May 2010), the group seeks to empower its membership while promoting activities that strengthen Sandy Point pride and engender self-sustainability for the town.
Other plans include promoting healthy lifestyles, entrepreneurship, academic and athletic excellence and programmes that encourage civics and a wider knowledge of the town’s history, culture and identity.
According to Richards, SPIRIT has begun a social change that is expected to catch on in other communities.
“I am enthused by the common motion and community support felt at this, the early stage of SPIRIT. This makes me feel so hopeful of all that we can achieve through partnership with other groups in Sandy Point.
“If we want to change the world, we must at first start in our own backyard and then reach others.... We have been getting overwhelming support and if we can start a spark of positive social change, it will be able to ignite other communities,” Richards added.
Already the group of about 30-members has sought close partnership with the established Community Improvement and Personal Empowerment Organization and the upcoming Sandy Point Alliance Against Hunger Cooperative.
SPIRIT makes its first official public appearance in Sandy Point next Saturday (May 15) with a community walkthrough and will in the coming weeks carry out a community needs assessment to tailor its programmes.
