‘Yes You Can’ to reconstruct youth development on St. Kitts
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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(L-R): Shahib Gillard and Vakeel Pereira
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a time when youth are viewed as underachievers and unmotivated, two young men have made it their responsibility to transform the concept of youth development in St. Kitts-Nevis.
Shahib Gillard and Vakeel Pereira, both teachers at the Sandy Point High School, have devoted their lives to community service and youth empowerment on the island. Their brainchild, “Yes You Can”, to be officially launched tomorrow (Oct. 7), is geared toward providing an opportunity for school dropouts and adults who may not have otherwise gained ‘O’ level subjects to do so. The course will focus on Social Studies and is expected to, as it grows, embrace more subjects.
Gillard told SKNVibes that he strongly believes in the empowerment of youth through offering a second chance and indicated that empowering one individual may be the lead to empower many others.
“If you observe the statistics, a lot of students were kicked out of high schools this year. That means there will be many students with nothing to do and perhaps just cause problems. But, we are just providing an alternative for persons to advance academically. When people are educated, they have a means of getting a job, and when one gets one subject, it may encourage them to get another one.
“We are starting with Social Studies because it is fairly easy and it prepares young people to become responsible citizens; so, it is a good start. The course should also raise awareness and consciousness as it is expected to build a generation of thinkers.”
Gillard further stated that “people are looking for hope in dark and pessimistic times” and added that the anthem that they need to start hearing is “Yes You Can”. ~~Adz:Right~~
Co-organiser Pereira focussed on youth empowerment through a different medium - a radio show aired on Sugar City Rock called ‘On the Beat’. He emphasised the critical need for a forum of such nature, which gives a voice to young people and allows them to be heard.
“I am only 20 years old, but I can help other young people. The radio show deals with issues in the community including politics, drugs, violence and crime, and relationships and sex, and allows youth to share their experiences with somebody around their age; someone they can relate to. The show is innovative and fun. In addition to youth matters, we showcase local music, which is in itself a form of youth empowerment,” Pereira added.
Gillard informed that many school dropouts, adults and even teachers have already responded, indicating their interest in registering for the programme.
He indicated that the team has many plans to extend the project into a more comprehensive and intricate one in the near future and challenged youth to “develop such a work ethic that would cause them to ask themselves ‘What else can I do?’”.
He promised that once there is scope to do more, more will be done to encourage youth to get involved in something positive; a move he admits may be slow but certainly beneficial.
Gillard also stated that persons interested in the "Yes You Can" project could contact him on telephone numbers 663-1900 and 662-9757 for the "On The Beat" radio show.
