BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE seeing some success in curbing delinquent behaviour among school-aged children and the evident scope of reach of the Operation Future programme, the government has consistently failed to financially support the initiative.
The programme was founded 2005 by Constable Lauston Percival of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF). And as was the case with other police officers and other schools, Percival was attached to the Dr. William Connor Primary School to provide assistance whenever and wherever the staff found necessary.
The programme began with simple visits to schools during the mornings’ assembly period, where the officers would educate the students on the functions of the RSCNPF, the effects of crime and violence and the importance of making decisions that would lead to becoming upstanding members of the community.
Over the years, the proactive programme has grown by leaps and bounds. It once catered only to primary and secondary school students but now includes parents and prisoners.
The primary sub-programme of Operation Future was the school visitation programme, but its scope has since been enlarged to include a Homework Assistance Programme, a Reading Programme, the Back Against the Wall Programme, the Discovery Club Programme and the prison band known as the Rehabilitation Through Music Programme.
Additionally, former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force and lawyer Dan MacMullin has joined the programme’s personnel and he has brought with him a wealth of experience in dealing with gangs and curbing gang-related behaviour and activity.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Officer Percival explained that the government has been approached about providing some funding for the programme, but those efforts have yielded no reward.
“On numerous occasions we have approached the government to solicit their financial support…and nothing. In anything we do we always invite them to our functions so that they can see for themselves, but they do not show up.”
The Officer however credited Minister of Culture and Social Services, the Hon. Marcella Liburd for showing some interest in the programme.
Asked how the eight-year-old programme stays afloat without financial backing from the government, Percival informed that while it is not easy, its members and associates try their best, even if it means digging into their own pockets.
“Sometimes we get grants from overseas organisations such as the European Union and the Canadian Government, and we are grateful for that. When we have any large projects coming up, those are the two main sponsors. But in terms of day-to-day funding, we have an annual silent auction every February…We do our fundraising to run Operation Future through the year and if there is anything else needed, we put our hands in our pockets and do what needs to be done.”
To the government’s credit – Percival explained – Operation Future was granted permission to use the St. Johnston’s Community Centre as a hub for its activities. And, with assistance from the Canadian Government and the EU, it has transformed the portion which it is being allowed to use into a multi-functional facility that includes a classroom, counselling room, lounge, music room and a kitchen.
And Nevis has by no means been neglected as far as this endeavour is concerned. Officer Percival informed that all programmes of Operation Future that are conducted in St. Kitts are also conducted in Nevis.
“Through the years we have seen a number of organisations pop up, and within a year or two they are no longer. This is one of the things we have over them, longevity, consistency; we know that our programme is working. Not only locally, but we have had persons within the region reach out to us asking that we start a similar programme in their country.”
Percival seemed confident in declaring that the programme would have a wider reach if it were financially backed by the government.
“I don’t think we would be able to do more if we get financial assistance from the government, I know we would be able to do more. If we had funding and backing from the government we would be able to reach more children who are in need. Not only in need of financial help and school supplies etc., but we will be able to reach out more and assist in terms of speaking to children who are on the brink of getting themselves into trouble.
“I know everybody is crying out about money right now, but I find that people have money to do other things that are not so much important. This is one of the things that we have always spoken about; this is a programme that we know definitely has had a lot of success in the past. We have gotten word from parents about how after children have returned from the programme they saw different signs. We have heard from teachers and we know definitely that if we get the backing and funding we would be able to reach a much wider section of the community.”
Percival said the biggest and best reward of the programme and what keeps the team going is seeing the transformation of the lives of those with whom they would have come in contact and hearing those two simple words in conveyance of ultimate gratitude “thank you”.
Thousands of children and adults have benefitted from the Operation Future and while Officer Percival admitted that it is virtually impossible to “reach everyone”, “the more people we reach the greater the scope, because it means that those people can reach others and the others can reach more people”.
