A Ganar Receives High Rating from Past Participant

Written by Elneth A. Toussaint-Harvey, A Ganar Country Coordinator

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 29TH 2013 — A former student of the Basseterre High School student is rating the A Ganar program, funded by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) and implemented by Partners of the Americas, a very high 9/10.

Nineteen year old Akeem Connor was a member of the Community Achievers Project (CAP)/Basseterre High School A Ganar class in 2010. Today, he is the President of the A Ganar Alumni Association and a proud full time employee of Horsfords Valu Mart IGA Supermarket.

Akeem reminisced that prior to participating in the CAP/A Ganar programme the prospect of his being promoted to fifth form was dim. However, based on the initial training sessions Akeem was convinced that it would be a good programme. He notes that it helps those who do not do well academically and motivates them to achieve.

His favorite core skill is communication. Prior to his engagement in the A Ganar program, he recounts not being sociable. He was also at that stage, not able to adequately express himself. He is proud that his engagement in the A Ganar program has helped him to develop his competency in the area of communication. More than this, the relationship he developed and nurtured with the other persons in his group, has resulted in lifelong friendships; something he had never experienced before his involvement in this program.

During the implementation of Phase 2, Akeem was exposed to training in the areas of Agriculture, Horticulture and Floriculture. Although he had never liked being in the dirt, he explained that he is now mindful of the fact that life does not always turn out the way you expect it to, and as a result of this experience, he is now very willing to embrace opportunities for learning.

Akeem is ably demonstrating his teamwork and communication skills while on the jobs and advises other youth currently engaged in the program is to “complete the training because the skills you acquire will pay off in the future”.