SVG Coastguard celebrates 20 years of youth development

Celebrating 20 years of youth development, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard launched their annual summer programme on Saturday, July 13 at the Coastguard base in Calliaqua.{{more}}

The youth development summer programme was launched under the theme: “20 years, shaping our youths for life’s high seas”.

Sharing brief remarks on their milestone achievement, Commander Brenton Caine noted that the programme, which began in 1993, started with only eight participants, and since then, over 1,800 children have passed through the programme.

Caine outlined a number of activities that are being planned in commemoration of the programme’s 20th anniversary.

He said they will be having a church service in August, followed by school visits in September, geared towards career guidance.

In October, there will be a fun walk from Kingstown to the Coastguard base, followed by a lecture in November and a dinner in December.

Featured speaker Commander Tyrone James said persons who have gone through the programme over the years have been making positive contributions to the country. For the contributions the summer programme has made over the years, he said there should be a banner just outside the base that reads, “20 years of youth development, more to come.”

James stated that 20 years is a reflection on the Coastguard’s commitment to development of the nation’s youth.

Also sharing brief remarks was representative of Sagicor Andre Boyce, who said for the programme to have been running for 20 years, it speaks volumes about the persons who are involved in coordinating the programme each year.

Having sponsored the programme for the past 18 years, Boyce assured the gathering of Sagicor’s continued support. He also encouraged the participants not to deviate from the things they are taught during the programme.

Other brief remarks came from director of Maritime Affairs David Robin, then Assistant Commissioner of Police Michael Charles and Omari France, representative of the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG).

The summer programme commenced yesterday and will run until August 17.(KW)