Regional and local volunteers target unattached youth
CVX programme comes to Jamaica
IN AN attempt to expand volunteerism across the Caribbean, more than 20 volunteers from Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are to complement the efforts of their local counterparts over a four-day period that will focus on unattached youths.
Now in its third instalment, the Caribbean Volunteer Exchange (CVX) programme will see youngsters from volatile communities engaging in discussions and activities geared towards developing regional solutions to social ills.
“As individuals, we are coming together to make a collective impact,” declared Neville Charlton, recipient of the 2016 Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) Young Leader Award.
Charlton serves as integration specialist for the CVX movement and, along with 15 other Jamaicans, will lend his services to the cause during the period June 28-July 2.
“Volunteerism also means sharing your space, not just time. The world has tapped into volunteerism and understands its impact in the development of societies and its people, and there are numerous studies in this regard. We as a region are pooling our resources, the most important of which is the human resource, and leading the charge to positive changes,” added Charlton.
CVSS, Digicel Foundation, GraceKennedy Foundation, Caribbean Airlines, and the I Believe Initiative are entities that have lent support to the project.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
Activities will include a trip to the Mouth Olivet Boys’ Home in Manchester to refurbish, paint and engage in motivational rap sessions. Governor General Sir Patrick Allen will also host the regional volunteers at his King’s House residence, where they will engage in discussion surrounding volunteerism and the various initiatives being undertaken in Jamaica and the region.
The group will also journey to the Special Olympics Summer Games to be held at the University of the West Indies, Mona Bowl, on Saturday. It is being sponsored by Digicel Foundation.
“I hope there is a rich exchange of ideas among volunteers so they may see how each of them can contribute to solutions in their community. Volunteerism is a core principle that continues to allow the foundation to meet the needs of Jamaicans.” said Dane Richardson, chief executive officer of Digicel Foundation.