St. Kitts-Nevis receives shipment of Bikes
(ZIZ News) — The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis was the recipient of a humanitarian donation of bicycles and various educational supplies from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Denton Program.
A number of at-risk youth in St. Kitts and Nevis are set to benefit from the generous donation of bicycles and assorted helmets.
The donation was presented to the Ministry of Youth for use as part of its “Cycle Through Success” programme which, according to its mandate, provides access to bicycles as an incentive for at-risk youth to meet specific goals in areas that include academic achievement, personal responsibility, anger management, and conflict resolution.
In accepting the donation, Director of Youth, Geoffrey Hanley said the second shipment of bikes will further add to the success of the programme.
“We have seen a growth in the primary school in the Scouts movement and also a change in a lot of our persons’ behaviour. So no doubt, this other batch or shipment of bikes will do justice to strengthen our programme as we continue to try to serve our young people especially those who might be showing behaviours that our society would not really want manifested into anything dangerous,” he said.
A portion of the donated equipment will also be used by students of the Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School. It’s Deputy Principal, Sylvester Dore commended the persons who made the donation possible.
“We are always grateful and always thankful for when persons donate and they give towards our organisation. We especially want to say thanks to the USAID for this timely donation. As a matter of fact, today begins our week of activities so we see it as a wonderful gift to us as we go into this week of public awareness and recognition of our students who are in our care. And it’s just a joyous feel, a joyous occasion when individuals come on board, organisations come on board and help to support us at the school,” he said.
Meanwhile, Major Wayne Capps of the United States Air Force said this is one way the American people show their support to their smaller neighbours.
“A mission like this absolutely touches every part of my soul, I love doing this kind of mission. I just wish we could follow it through and see some of the kids who are getting the bicycles and educational equipment that we are able to bring but it’s the kind of mission that we don’t forget. We love helping our neighbours here in St. Kitts,” he said.
The donation of approximately $31,000 also contained hospital supplies and equipment, school supplies, and musical instruments.
The shipment was facilitated through the Denton Program, which is jointly administered by USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The programme allows donors to use space available on U.S. military cargo planes to transport humanitarian goods and equipment to countries in need.