The increasing amount of crimes committed by our nations youth has the entire Bahamas in fear of what our future holds for the next generation. Everyone is looking for an answer to this escalating problem. The Government of the Bahamas with our Prime Minister at the helm decided to take charge and launch a National Youth Programme, Volunteer Bahamas.
The launch of this great initiative took place simultaneously at the Sheraton at Cable Beach, New Providence and Pelican Bay, Grand Bahama on Tuesday, November 22nd 2011. Pastors, Politicians, Youth Leaders, Service Organization Leaders and Volunteers all gathered to get first hand information on the much needed initiative spearheaded by the government.
In the Honorable Charles Maynard, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture’s remarks; he stated that this programme is the answer to the root cause of the social ills of our society. Minister Maynard also pointed out that through volunteerism, numerous young men and women lives made a 360 degree transformation. He drew reference to an outstanding Bahamian Boxer Valentino Knowles; who was involved in boxing from the age of 6. Mr. Turner and Miller motivated and mentored this young man; who is now ranked #2 in America and #27 in the world. Although involved in boxing; Mr. Knowles was a product of his environment and was in and out of trouble throughout his teen years, but it was the intervention of people who volunteered and invested their time in Valentino, that turned him around.Valentino Knowles said, “society was behind me, encouraging me to do better and boxing kept me from a negative environment”.
Prime Minister of the Bahamas, The Right Honorable Hubert Alexander Ingraham was the Guest Speaker. Prime Minister Ingraham said that the focus of the programme is to build a safer, healthier and Non violent community and also to build existing community services programmes. The Government’s aim is to foster virtues such as kindness, compassion and manners and respect. In his speech, Prime Minister stated that the Government alone cannot fully address criminality, instability and antisocial behaviors; but Families, Churches, Social Clubs in collaboration with the government is all required to resolve the problem of crime in our community.
To date 359 persons have volunteered for the programme and the government is asking that others do the same. Forms can be obtained from the government’s website :www.bahamas.gov.bs and forwarded to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture at either the Nassau or Freeport’s Office. Service Organizations are also asked to come and register their Organization with the Ministry; as individual volunteers will be forwarded to their service clubs as well.
For more information on the programme, send an email to: volunteer@bahamas.gov.bs
