Club tackling youth violence
Optimist International has not turned a blind eye to the issue of violence among youth.
Governor of the Caribbean District, Dave Wilson has called on all clubs of this premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential, to execute a project under the theme “Conflict Management among our Youth”.
“Throughout this year, we will deal with the vexatious issues of youth violence, bullying, and other forms of abuse, where it appears as if our young people no longer have the ability to ‘reason’ and find non-combative solutions to the inevitable problems that will arise,” he disclosed during Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards held at the Warrens Conference Centre at Manor Lodge Complex, on Friday night.
Highlighting the recent violent attack that left a female student of the Lester Vaughan Secondary School nursing serious injuries, the Jamaican Governor however made it clear that such issues are not unique to Barbados alone.
“It is happening throughout the region,” he stressed, “So we must question if it is a parenting issue, a media issue or even a music issue”.
“Our children are exposed to much more things than we may have been and as such, we cannot bury our heads in the sand. We must adapt and develop the skills to help our children to better manage conflict,” he urged fellow Optimists.
Governor Wilson therefore encouraged members to embrace the District’s meeting this weekend aimed at tackling this serious issue through brainstorming, knowledge acquisition, professional and community social practitioners – which will result in a working plan as to how Optimist Clubs will play a role in positively shaping the lives of youth.
According to him, Optimist Clubs throughout the Caribbean continue to be effective partners of the Region’s Governments in providing projects and programs that help to maintain some semblance of social cohesion and community development.
Initiatives include; Internet Safety, Reading Skills, Homework Club, Safety on the Roads, Sports, Public Speaking, Essay Writing, Creative Arts, Vision Care and Health and Wellness.
It was on March 10th, 1992 that the Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown was chartered. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Montego Bay Jamaica, it became the first club to be formed in the Eastern Caribbean.
President, Safiya Robinson recalled that over the last 25 years the Club has been able to attract extraordinary members who have risen to each occasion to provide exemplary service to the children and communities of Barbados.
He said that they have also witnessed the emergence of additional clubs on the island, now eight, being able to further the ideals and purposes of Optimist International.
“In these difficult times, it is important that service clubs like ourselves band together and become even stronger in order to maintain the social fabric that binds our beautiful country. Government cannot do all. We must play our part as well, but we can only do so with your continued support,” she expressed. (TL)