YAP benefits from Fairtrade donation

The Youth Assistance Programme (YAP) has recently benefited from the generosity of the Fair Trade Organisation. In a handover that took place at the Marion House last Friday, November 14, the YAP received a cheque for the sum of EC$3,550.{{more}}

The donation will be used primarily for the Georgetown branch of the YAP, which is run in conjunction with the Anglican Diocese there. YAP Coordinator James Browne expressed how grateful the Georgetown YAP is for the much needed financial assistance. “I hope we see it as a start to get good things going!” he shared. Browne further issued an invitation to the Fair Trade Organisation representative to visit the Georgetown branch to see exactly how the money is being used.

Nioka Abbott, Secretary of the Fair Trade Organisation, relayed how pleased the organisation is to fund youth-related projects. “The youth are our future. In helping our youth, we are helping to build our society,” she explained. Abbott also emphasised the need to appreciate farming and not just view it as “dirty work.” She stated: “Without farmers the nation would starve!” Abbott further reminded the audience that funding of such projects is important because, “…When we build our communities we become better people.”

According to Marion House Director Deborah Dalrymple, “…YAP is designed to assist young people who may not have finished school, for whatever reason…” Dalrymple explained that the programme has two components – Life Skills and Skills Training. The life skills component aims to improve the participants’ communication skills and their ability to interact with each other and society on a whole. The skills training segment links the participants with trainers and provides them with apprenticeships within which they can develop careers.

Dalrymple related that although the programmes offered by Marion House are focused on the 15 – 25 age group, clients of all ages can make use of their free services. Programmes offered include: Individual, family & group counselling, substance abuse counselling, the Right Step programme and the Young Parents Empowerment Programme (YPEP). (JSV)