SPANISH TOWN:
THE EBONY Vale Citizens Association has embarked on a week of activities by way of a Youth Week celebration, August 10-16.
In an interview with The Gleaner, President of the Association, Hornet Williams, said that the planned week's activities was born out of an idea that was put in the mandate for a three-year plan, with the plight of the youth in focus.
"Having observed youths in the area sitting idly, the association decided that a week in their honour will be a positive one for the moulding of their young minds," remarked Williams.
The planned activities include a church service, which was held last Sunday, marking the beginning of the events. Other activities will include speeches on personality development, a talk on the dangers of narcotics and AIDS Awareness and a courtesy call on Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr. Raymoth Notice.
The Association is expected to visit and share with patients housed at the Dare to Care Hospice in Spanish Town, a home for children born with HIV/AIDS which houses over 40 patients.
According to Bevenisha N'Ticola Moodie, chairman of the week's committee, the idea came as a result of apathy and eventual hopelessness on the part of the youths in the area.
"My energy was fuelled by the high level of unemployed youths in the area and the apathy that needed to be addressed, so a week of activities that is youth focused will augur well in the eyes of tomorrow's leader. It's a way to energise them, positively, hence we employed a multifaceted approach," Miss Moodie said.
The National Housing Trust (NHT) was instrumental in making some of the week-long activities possible.
- R. T.
