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| A number of young people turned out to witness the ceremony |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 21, 2006): Scores of young people joined with senior government officials on Wednesday, to witness the ceremonial presentation of cheques to two youth groups to implement projects to address the incidence of HIV/AIDS in their communities.
The Saddlers Collaborative Interest Group (SCIG) and the Washington Archibald High Young Leaders (WAHYL) received the cheques valued at approximately US $5,000.00 respectively. The funds and project development are a part of the PANCAP/CARICOM Mini-Grant Programme being implemented in several Caribbean countries.
It is a multi agency effort involving participation along the way by a number of organizations such as the Red Cross, GTZ, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Caribbean HIV and AIDS Youth Network (CHAYN), OPAJOTA and the Regional Youth Caucus (RYC). The Caribbean Federation of Youth (CFY) as well as the
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| Permanent Secretary Osmond Petty presents cheque to SCIG while Youth Director Geoffrey Hanley looks on. |
Caribbean Regional Network of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+) also contributed.
In giving an overview of the programme, outgoing CARICOM Youth Ambassador Pierre Liburd saluted the groups and explained that St. Kitts and Nevis is the third country in the initial pilot phase to reach this far in the process.
"We have to commend them (the groups)," he said. "They really put a lot in this (the project) and are now successful. "We are all proud of them for the hard work that they did and the hard work they have yet to do in the communities when they start to implement their projects."
Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley pledged the continued support of his department for such programmes. He stressed that the Mini-Grant Programme has been extremely beneficial as it has seen the training of close to 75 young people at home and abroad.
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| Outgoing CYA Pierre Liburd during the project overview |
"Groups are now more organized and energized to work together to accomplish much more. We are proud of you youth," he said. Hanley made a special appeal to business houses to keep youth development in mind when planning their budget.
Project "Challenge " Choose " Change" is designed by the SCIG in collaboration with the Rotoract and Basseterre Leo Clubs. It will be implemented in the Saddlers community.
The young leaders teamed with the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) and Youth Impact Ministries to develop "Taking on the Challenge." This project targets the East Basseterre region.
Both projects should be implemented shortly.
Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Youth Affairs Mr. Osmond Petty presented the groups with the cheques during the ceremony held at the Foundation for National Development Conference Room.
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