‘Pursue skills training over crime’

As a 17-year-old’s death on Tuesday became the 31st homicide for the year, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith is encouraging young people to take advantage of the various skills training programmes on offer, and take a stand against crime.

Griffith made the call as he toured several camps under the National Summer Camp Programme. At the Shirley Chisholm Primary School in Vauxhall, Christ Church, he expressed his concern about the rising homicide rate. He emphasised the government’s commitment to providing positive training opportunities for the youth.

“This is a good time to be a young person in Barbados,” Griffith told reporters. “We have programmes that stretch from the block culture to the youth emcee programmes. All you need to do is to contact the ministry. There is absolutely no need for youngsters in this country to turn to violence because there are opportunities being provided by the government through my ministry and other ministries.”

The minister revealed that this year’s National Summer Camp Programme, which costs half a million dollars, has nearly 3 000 campers across 47 locations. These camps offer a range of specialised training, including in digital media and entrepreneurship.

Griffith stressed that the camps are taking a holistic approach, with volunteer counsellors educating the campers rather than simply “babysitting” them. He added that the programme aims to provide young Barbadians with valuable life skills and practical experience.

On Thursday, all of the camps will come together for a sports day at the Usain Bolt Stadium.