Five get gold in Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme

Five Barbadians are the latest recipients of Gold Awards in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme.

During a brief ceremony held at State House on Wednesday, Solomon Dixon, Shonee Howell, Destinee Lorde, Makaila Lucas, and Christa Padmore, were presented with their awards by President Dame Sandra Mason.

In congratulating them on their achievement, Chair of the National Award Council Stephen Smith said the five – who all had to participate in voluntary service, skills and physical recreation, along with an adventurous journey – should be commended for their efforts.

“This is indeed a character-building programme where they would have learned lots of things along the way, especially how to be resilient. They would have learned how to stay on the saddle and keep riding even when it was difficult, and they’re here this afternoon to be rewarded.

“Of course, this is just not a character-building thing for the sake of it, but this also gives them better employment opportunities, allows them to stand out as better-rounded global citizens and we commend them this afternoon for achieving this great award,” said Smith.

Padmore told Barbados TODAY that the experience in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme has been an exciting one thus far, with the most memorable experience being her adventurous journey exercise, which was a camping trip in Trinidad.

“It was a very good experience in terms of teamwork and meeting new people. We learned a lot about the leatherback turtles as well. One night in particular, we had to get up and run and move our tent because it was nesting season and we were apparently in one of the spots of the turtles. So all of that was very interesting.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme was first introduced to the island in 1963​. Today, it is available in secondary schools, churches, Barbados Cadet Corps, the Girl Guides Association of Barbados and the Barbados Boy Scouts Association. The programme is delivered and administered by a team of dedicated volunteers, led by the National Award Council.

(SB)