CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – MINISTER of Social Development the Hon. Hensley Daniel has described the Boys Together for Change programme organised by the Empire Sports Club as one of critical intervention, which is missing in many local communities.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme on Sunday (May 24) at the Charles Walters Community Centre on Hanley’s Road, Daniel said that early intervention enables early identification of social and economic problems and facilitates the connection of people to reducing and ensuring the resolution of these problems.
“This is an intervention programme. As someone in government, I would like to say that this is the cheapest kind of programme you can introduce.”
According to the Minister, “It is far less expensive than rehabilitation and far less expensive than trying to bolt after the horse is gone. So, it is in that concept that this programme is important to us.”
Minister Daniel said that interventions are done to facilitate the study, diagnosis and treatment of problems before they begin to manifest.
The Minister said the initiative is going to represent a paradigm shift in the way young men see themselves. He explained that a recent study conducted in high schools in Jamaica, Barbados and St. Vincent showed that boys do not like to read because they do no not think it is masculine enough for them.
“If a boy likes reading he won’t show it…but I hope that through this programme reading becomes part and parcel of the culture.”
Minister Daniel continued: “This programme is going to restart that thinking that it is macho to get good marks in school…to be disciplined…to go to church.”
The Minister said the Empire Club initiative is like other programmes of the Department of Social Development. He identified a few of them as Nevisian Proud, which targets young girls; Empowering Men for Change; and another which entails teaching basic social work and basic counselling skills for persons across the islands.
According to Daniel, “All of these programmes are critical because all great societies are founded on social development. They are founded on issues of education, discipline, respect, hard work and social integration.”
The Deputy Premier also urged parents of the 24 boys enrolled in the programme to be actively involved so that the standards set by the facilitators would be maintained at home.
Premier Joseph Parry was also one of the speakers on Sunday. He told the gathering that he was happy to see many being motivated to work on the problems with young people on Nevis. He however noted that the focus should not only be on boys, but youths in general.
He said what is happening at Hanley’s Road is taking place around the island. He explained that government not only takes action when there are problems, but must anticipate problems and prevent them.
“You will find in the next few years that Nevis will continue to be a people place because all these actions are being taken.”
President of the Empire Sports Club Eric Evelyn said the programme has been a dream of his since last year but circumstances did not permit it to be implemented. He said Hanley’s Road is still relatively unspoilt where gangs and crimes are concerned, and he believes it is imperative that the community be proactive and never allow them to take root.
According to Evelyn, the programme, launched in the year of the club’s 30th anniversary, seeks to bring boys together in a structured way and teach them about issues that would directly affect them as youths.
He said the programme expects to bring change of such magnitude that the boys of Hanley’s Road would be role models on the island.
“It will seek to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.”
Topics include drugs and its effect on the body, how to cope with peer pressure, anger management, money management, eating healthy and effective communication.
Sessions will be held on the second Thursday of every month from 6:30 p.m. for one hour at the Community Centre. Evelyn said that if there is a fifth Thursday, then the boys would meet for recreational activities. The programme also includes field trips.
Evelyn said that the programme targets boys of high school age, since evidence shows that they are more vulnerable and prone to deviant behaviour than girls.
