JEMS Progressive Community Organization has scheduled two back-to-back Youth Vacation Programmes to be held at the Enhams Community Centre on weekdays starting Wednesday, August 17.{{more}}

Under the theme “Empowering Young Minds for a Healthy, Productive and Sustainable Future, “ the programmes will engage young people in a range of environmental, health and life skills training activities.

A three-day session beginning Wednesday, August 17, will focus on positive environmental action as it relates to backyard gardening. Composting, gardening basics and a field trip are all on the agenda. Supported by SVG Helping Hands, the half-day sessions will run from 9 a.m. until noon.

Originally scheduled for the week of August 8, the second Youth Vacation Programme has been re-scheduled for Monday, August 22, through Friday, August 26. This week-long session will focus on healthy lifestyles and life skills training, with a special emphasis on HIV and AIDS prevention. Discussion topics include basic HIV facts and information; building self esteem; sexuality, healthy lifestyles and relationships, stigma and discrimination, goal setting and decision making; and gender equality. The daily workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The week-long August 22-26 programme is funded by the U.S. PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) programme. It is for young people ages 15 to 19 residing in the Southeast sector of mainland St. Vincent, and will engage youth from an additional 10 communities around the island.

The youth are encouraged to participate in both the environmental and healthy lifestyle programmes.

“Youth development has been a major focus for JEMS for many years,” noted JEMS President Rhonda Lee, in announcing the 2011 Vacation Programmes. “The long school holiday provides an excellent opportunity to help the young people focus on personal growth through positive activities. We’ve put together a team of highly qualified leaders to build two strong programmes we think will appeal to our youth,” she added.

For more information or advance registration forms, contact Bernard Sayers at 430-9138 or Rhonda Lee at 496-4249.