“Big Brother” mentorship programme launched at Liberty Lodge Training Centre

The Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre has launched a ‘Big Brother’ mentorship programme where 11 persons are taking on the responsibility of providing guidance to boys at the institution for at-least one year.

The goal of the programme, which was launched on April 5, is to support the healthy development of residents at the institution, which is located at Largo Height, addressing their psychological needs thereby reducing risks factors of negative behaviours.

Minister of National Mobilisation Orando Brewster, urged the youngsters to take the programme seriously and to not see themselves as victims, but as individuals with “great potential and purpose.” Minister Brewster thanked the 11 mentors for participating in the programme while encouraging other individuals to come on board to help provide mentorship for the boys.

The launch of the Big Brother mentorship programme has coincided with activities to mark Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month in April, under the theme: “You have the power to create a better future for us the children, treat us well.”

Director of the Child Development Division, Jemma Alexander said the Big Bother programme is tailored to provide “supportive mentorship relationships to boys at the Centre,” noting that a mentor is a “role model that a mentee can talk to and share experiences with.”

The feature speaker at the ceremony, Legal Officer at the General Employees Co-operative Credit Union (GECCU) J-Lany Williams, congratulated the organisers within the Ministry of National Mobilisation for initiating the Big Brother mentorship programme. Williams said the mentorship will help break the stigma associated with young men being underachievers, by giving them support as they embark on a journey to become outstanding citizens.

The Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre offers activities to resident boys in farming (poultry and agriculture), craft, and other skill-based initiatives.

The mentors who have signed on to programme are: Able-body Seaman Bobb,and Chief Petty Officer Edwin Durrant of the Coast Guard Service; Constable Elroy Quammie and Corporal Roderick John of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF); Ari Shaw, a teacher at the St. Martins Secondary School; farmer, Kamiel James; Ashené Peters an entrepreneur; Barrister-at-law, Adrian Odle; J-lany Williams, Barrister-at-law and Legal Officer at GECCU; Pastor Dexter Kirby of the Grace Community Baptist Church; and Keith Williams, Entrepreneur (API).