Time to mentor youth; come together to tackle crime

AT this time when many are panicking about the crime situation in Barbados, one Parliamentarian is recommending that all members of society come together to find solutions to tackle the issue.

This is according to Member of Parliament for St James North, Edmund Hinkson, who told The Barbados Advocate that it is also important for those who have made it in society to go back into the communities where they were nurtured, to mentor the youth.

“We need those who are in positions of responsibility, those who have achieved on the backs of ancestors, who have worked hard and toiled, to put back something into our communities and into the country as a whole.
“These children are the future and we cannot afford to have our young people going astray. They must be given the opportunities that we can offer them to become law abiding citizens, fulfilling their full potential, and to have hope so that they can achieve,” Hinkson said.

Speaking during an educational tour for children from his constituency, on Thursday, the Member of Parliament said it is clear that many of the young people, who are getting in trouble with the law and “creating havoc”, may be feeling a sense of hopelessness.

He said many of the youth often lament that they wish there were opportunities that would allow them to succeed.

“But we have to come together and figure out how we are going to tackle this issue. But, it is the duty of those who have achieved not to sit back and only think about themselves and their immediate family.

“We all have a duty to go back into our communities, whether it is in our sporting organisations, whether it is in our community organisations, or whether it is in our churches, to help mentor the youth so that they can see that they can achieve as well,” he said. (AH)