Urban League Inc holds summer programme for underprivileged youths

The Dr J P Eustace Memorial Secondary School in Edinboro has been playing host to this year’s summer development programme, put on by the Urban League Inc.

The programme, which is the brainchild of group chair Sean Frederick, caters this year to 75 underprivileged youth, aged four to 16, in the under-served areas of Ottley Hall, Edinboro and surrounding communities.{{more}}

Initially a programme for children with interest in the performing arts, over the last seven years, it has grown not just in numbers, but also in terms of activities. Today, the programme includes educational, sports, eco tourism and environmental activities aimed at the overall development of the children, some of whom also have behavioural and social issues.

The organizers have developed a different theme ever year which the volunteers use to teach and develop programs.

According to a release, principal of the Dr J P Eustace Memorial Secondary School Alwayne Joseph has been very supportive and has also encouraged his staff and parents and the community of Edinboro to also give their blessing to the overall success of the three-week programme, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.

Rodney Small, Ms SVG, Shadeisha George and Debbie Charles were the public role models who inspired the children with their presentation on the importance of being focused and following one’s dreams.

Dance, costume making, songs, arts and craft, poetry essentials, acting, drumming, discipline, personal development, environmental, eco-tourism, field trips, are some of the main topics covered in both practical and theoretical teaching over the past three weeks by many of the programme volunteers.

The awards and closing of this year’s programme will take place at the Dr J P Eustace Memorial School in Edinboro at on Monday, August 18, 10 a.m. The participants will present some of what they learnt over the period of the summer programme.

Chair of the Urban League Inc Sean Frederick encourages more support for this programme which he said helps to save many youths from the negative path.

He indicated that the programme hopes to add a “Back to School Kit” component for the eighth anniversary next year, for which 100 children have been targetted.