Youth activity climaxes with jubilant march

St. Kitts, April 25, 2010 (SKNIS): Activities for the local celebration of Global Youth Service Day climaxed today (April 23) with a march through the streets of Basseterre.

Students from several primary and secondary schools joined with youth partners, and representatives from the local CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme as well as staff of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment to raise the awareness of the public towards the importance of volunteerism and youth involvement.

“It was good. I really enjoyed the march,” said one student. Another noted that “she has never heard of the international commemoration but felt it was important to take part in the march to highlight the positives performed by a large majority of young people in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The students of the Cayon High School clearly felt the spirit as they led the march with clapping and singing.

“I’m very satisfied with the support that we received for this week’s activities,” Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley said at the end of the march. “We asked the children the question: ‘How will they be able to change the world?’ And we’re talking about the globe, as well as their own individuality in terms of their attitude and what they can do to make a change in their lives and the life of others.”

Mr. Hanley told SKNIS that the group planted several trees at Fortlands in Basseterre before the start of the march. During this week, they also delivered care baskets to the Joseph N. France Hospital and the Cardin Home, tidied Cockle Shell Beach and painted a public bathroom at St. Johnson’s Village. Local entrepreneur Ashley Allers was moved by the volunteer service and donated several cans of paint to apply a paint border on the bottom of the bathroom walls.

“I must say a special thank you to all the persons that participated or contributed to this year’s celebration, the Youth Director said. He paid tribute to staff members Diane Dunrod Francis and Rudell Williams for organizing the activities. He also thanked businessman and youth activist Khrystus Wallace for delivering a rousing empowerment-themed speech to the marchers who gathered at Independence Square.

Wallace encouraged the participants to remain positive, work hard and believe in themselves.

Local activities for Global Youth Service Day conclude with worship on Sunday, April 25, at the Zion Moravian Church. The April 23 to 25 international observance takes place in 100 countries and is organized for youth to identify and address the needs of their communities; organizations to provide opportunities for youth engagement; and media and policy makers to promote awareness of young people as assets and resources to their communities.