By Tanya Ellis, Gleaner WriterIT IS said that if you want to unite the nation, you should give them either football or dancehall. Forget the former, for the latter was most certainly the case at the launch of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Summer Camp talent show, and what a display of talent it was. The youth talent show, held at the Calabar High School last Friday, was dubbed 'Up to de Time,' and was well organised.
The PERF scheme encouraged the youngsters to build on their natural talents while learning acceptable social behaviour which they can later take back to their homes and school communities. Apart from providing a safe environment to get children off the streets during the holidays, PERF, by extending the programme into school communities during term time, ensures that the interpersonal skills gained by these children will not be forgotten as soon as the summer period is over.
"This opportunity of privilege to inner-city children ensures that at least once per year they have a chance of coming together as one group of 'friends'," said Superintendent Assan Thompson, officer in charge of the Constant Spring Police Station. These children also get to relate, on a day-to-day basis, with local police personnel to aid the development of personal and community values by bridging the gap between the two groups.
PERF is also in the process of developing and training peer counsellors from the local community to act as mentors. Their main role will be to help with the transformation of personal attitudes, and to instill the message of acceptable social decorum.
COMMUNITY STRENGTH
Guest speaker was Dr. Kevin Rushing, who is the deputy mission director at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the chief sponsors of the programme. He said, "It is important for these youngsters to be constantly reminded that guns and drugs are dangerous, and that teamwork is vital to the strength of a community."
"It is a great pleasure to be affiliated with the programme. Never have I been so proud of working with such a successful pilot programme that displays such an immense amount of talent," said a teary-eyed Becky Stockhausen, executive director at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).
