Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for Crime Prevention, Corey Lane, is praising the transformative impact of the ‘Flip Yah Script’ aftercare programme, which concluded on Saturday at Kingdom First International.
Reflecting on the event, Lane expressed his belief that the initiative will serve as a pivotal game-changer in shaping the future of Barbados’ youth.
In his closing remarks to the nearly 100 participants enrolled under the National Peace Programme, Lane pointed to the urgency of prioritising care and creating pathways to success for the island’s young population, particularly those from at-risk communities.
Acknowledging the diverse group of participants representing Barbados’ 11 parishes, Lane extended his gratitude, stating, “We are planting seeds in your life to make sure that you flip the script … the script that some people are on is on a path of destruction. They call it from primary to prison.”
With a firm commitment to altering destructive life paths, the Minister stressed the need to rescue youths from the pitfalls of crime and steer them toward more constructive alternatives.
During his address, he announced a groundbreaking opportunity for 10 youths from the programme (five boys and five girls), who will embark on an educational journey to Canada on January 20.
Lane underscores the importance of expanding the horizons of Barbadian youth, advocating for experiences beyond virtual interactions.
“I understand that many high-risk and at-risk young people don’t have anybody to talk to, they don’t have anybody to provide guidance. Some of them don’t have anybody to make them feel like they care about them,” Minister Lane said.
Grace Chambers, one of the facilitators within the programme, pointed to the overwhelming response that exceeded their initial expectations.
Originally designed for 60 children, the programme successfully accommodated approximately 100 participants.
Chambers detailed a comprehensive eight-week training curriculum covering diverse subjects such as financial literacy, art and craft, business plan development, job application writing, fashion, and basic mannerisms.
She credits the National Peace Programme for the successful implementation of the aftercare initiative, pointing out key areas targeted for enhancement in future iterations.
As the programme concludes, Chambers expressed the intention to expand its reach in subsequent iterations based on the positive outcomes witnessed this year.
Several participants in the programme were rewarded for being fully engaged during their time — something Minister Lane said will continue to happen, stating: “If they work hard, show dedication and commitment, then they should be rewarded.”
(RT)
