BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Saddlers-based ‘Save Our Youths At Risk’ (SOYAR) group will be organising a Basketball Tournament and Fun Day at the Saddlers Playing Field from 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19.
Group leader Alicia Collins said SOYAR was recently given a new theme, “Preparing Our Youth for a Brighter Future”, and it is promoting family and community unity with Sunday’s activity.
The Basketball Tournament, fun and games will feature three-on-three basketball, netball, lucky dip, bouncing castle, dominoes and more.
Collins told SKNVibes that the Saddlers community would be participating in the activities, but neighbouring communities are also invited.
“The Fun Day is in aid of assisting the Saddlers Primary School with renovating their kitchen,” she said.
The group will also be working with schools in the surrounding communities.
Collins said she would like to extend gratitude to all the members of the committee, who she noted are doing an exceptional job. She also gave special thanks to the Principal of the Saddlers Primary School, Marvah Bradshaw, for her support and encouragement.
She said the group consists of six executive members and nine floor members, including teachers from both schools within the Saddlers community.
“We are welcoming any organisation or personnel who are willing to make a contribution towards a very worthy cause,” she said.
During the summer of this year, Collins organised an interactive camp that was sponsored by UNESCO.
There were sessions with police officers who work with gangs. These sessions highlighted how the children felt about crime and gangs. She said nurses spoke to the children about personal hygiene and other health issues, while a beach clean-up exercise was held on August 20.
Collins said the group would motivate others to be leaders.
“This is a movement, not just a group. When you hear movement, we have to come up with dynamic stuff to keep children involved…what worked 20 years ago will not work today,” she said.
The Summer Camp was held under the theme ‘Making Peace with the Environment’.
“It is not just about peace among ourselves, but peace with the environment,” she said.
Collins said SOYAR was created to primarily target the boys who are usually at the forefront of gang violence and crime, but they found that girls have also joined the group.
“We have to save our girls too, so they will grow up to be good parents,” she said.
“Crime and Violence is a 'we' issue, not a 'me' or 'you'! It only takes ONE person to make a difference,” she said.
The movement is planning to distribute 20 Food Baskets to elderly persons and to participate in ‘caroling’ and will be hosting a dance called ‘SOYAS Christmas Whacky Affair’ with TNO and DJ Yardy at the Saddlers Primary School at 9:00 p.m.
On Dec. 27, (J’Ouvert) there will be a Food Fair at the Saddlers main lawn.
