A rewarding experience, says Peace Corps volunteer

When Steve Lincoln and his wife Shannon arrived here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the Peace Corps{{more}} volunteer service, they had no clue what to expect. But as their two-year tenure draws to an end, the couple have found it to be a deeply rewarding and enlightening experience.

The twenty-seven-year-old and his wife, originally from Florida (United States), have been based in Georgetown – where he has been working with the Marion House Youth Assistance Programme there, and his wife has been working with the remedial reading programme at the Georgetown Secondary School.

Lincoln explained that he and his wife joined the Peace Corps “as a way to serve the world”. Having previously worked in the Information Technology field, he said: “Both of us wanted to give back something to humanity.”

As part of a team, Lincoln is involved in the planning and execution of the youth assistance programme, which assists young people with character development and life skills education.

The six-month programme is targeted at drop-outs or those who went through the education system but failed to attain the qualifications they had hoped for.

“It gives them a chance to build their skills and enter the workforce,” he said.

Lincoln admitted that although working with troubled youth has had its ups and downs, the experience has had a positive effect on him.

“I’ve never worked with youth in this way before and it has been a challenge,” he explained. “But I’ve grown in so many ways.”

“They’re not bad kids,” Lincoln continued. “They come in with their own set of problems and issues, so they can be difficult at times, but everyone deserves a chance.”

Programme Coordinator James Browne, who works closely with the Lincolns on the youth assistance programme, was in full agreement.

Browne said that aside from providing participants with the assistance they need, he would like to destroy the stigma that surrounds those who sign up for the programme.

“They’re seen as society’s delinquents, but that isn’t always the case,” he said.

Lincoln spoke of one participant who has left a deep impression on him.

“He came in last year… court-ordered. He presented trouble at every turn for every facilitator,” the Peace Corps volunteer said.

Lincoln persevered with him, helping him through his anger management issues. By the end of the programme, he [the participant] was one of the most dedicated participants and gained employment soon after.

“He’s one of our greatest success stories. I’d trust him with my life!” Lincoln insisted.

Browne explained that the programme has a high success rate with several participants going on to be employed as nurses, policemen, pre-school teachers and in the Royal Navy.

“We’re hoping to see someone working at SEARCHLIGHT one day,” Browne smiled.

He went on to express deep gratitude to the Lincolns for their hard work and dedication; especially Steve, who never gave up on their most difficult participants even when other facilitators would have.

Browne also commended the young couple on their ability to adapt to their new ‘home’, and on how involved they have become in their community.

“They were able to break the barriers and cultural differences very easily,” he pointed out.

Lincoln and his wife will be returning to the United States in December – two months later than they were originally scheduled to.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done. My wife and I have extended our stay to finish up a couple things,” he said.

It’s clear from his account that Steve Lincoln and his wife are somewhat saddened by their impending departure from the island.

“It’s hard to ignore how gorgeous the island is,” he said. “If we were at retirement age we’d be building a house here!”

He did, however, make it clear that they will be visiting the island as often as they can.

Lincoln also expressed sincere thanks to facilitators Lionel Thomas, Tyee Balcombe, St Clair Yearwood; the staff at Planned Parenthood; and Cassius Franklyn, employee in the Ministry of Sports and also a past participant in the youth assistance programme. He also thanked the members of the Holy Trinity parish for volunteering their time and effort.