By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTWENTY YEARS ago Anthony Woodbine was typical of many people living in Kingston's inner city. He was unemployed and his only source of income was remittances from relatives overseas.
But three years ago, his life took on a new meaning - he became a Christian and renewed his ties with the Kingston Restoration Co. (KRC), which paved the way for him to begin training and helping young students in the volatile community of 'Tel-Aviv', central Kingston.
The 45-year-old Mr. Woodbine is a simple man, hanging out on the various corners in Tel-Aviv. He worked with KRC from 1989 to 1997, and was trained in several areas.
Today he is passing on what he has learned to scores of young children in the community. On Friday, more than 25 children graduated from his annual summer school programme.
"This is an annual programme that I have been doing for free," Mr. Woodbine said.
The programme which ran from July 12 to August 13 this year, started with more than 40 children, but drastic disciplinary action reduced the number.
"If the children are unruly and cannot be controlled, then they are sent back to their parents," said Mr. Woodbine, who is also a trained counsellor.
He uses an abandoned two-storey building at the intersection of East and Laws streets for the classroom, and is assisted by two volunteers, who teach the children academics, music and drama. The students attend primary and all-age schools in central Kingston.
GUN VIOLENCE
Having been brought up in the tough inner-city community, several of the children have been exposed to violence from a tender age. Some have lost their parents and other relatives to gun violence, leaving them traumatised.
Mr. Woodbine's programme is designed to help them overcome their grief, to communicate more effectively, and to improve their academic skills.
Rachell Mowatt, nine, of Holy Family Primary School, Laws Street, said the programme had taught her how to live better and share with people.
"It teaches me how to study and do my school work," said nine-year-old Talulaha Shirley, of St. Aloysius Primary School, Duke Street, who says she plans to become an attorney-at-law.
Kadesha Baker, another nine-year-old student of St. Aloysius, described the summer programme as "wonderful". She plans to become either a doctor or a teacher.
