The Barbados Police Service has lauded a programme targeting the youth as one of their most “effective tools in crime prevention” while president of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce, Paul Inniss, described it as a model initiative that should be replicated in every parish.
At the start of the September term for the programme yesterday at the New Orleans Community Centre, St Michael, Inniss issued a strong appeal to corporate Barbados to support the Barbados Police Service Sagicor Learning in Harmony Homework Programme.
He said the long-running programme had proven its worth in tackling root causes of crime and uplifting young people.
“We need the dollars and cents. My vision for a programme like this is that we see an end to poverty. There’s a conversation around how do we help our kids and our children. How does corporate Barbados actually partner with Government, civil society, NGOs, law enforcement to actually provide solutions that we can actually help our children as they grow? This is one example.”
Inniss, executive vice-president and general manager, Sagicor Life, who said he was with the programme from its inception when he was at another insurance company, was pleased with the “excellent work the police was doing within the community of New Orleans and I thought we in the corporate space should have contributed.”
Consolidate resources
“I am going to put on my BCCI hat, and as president, if we can actually consolidate the resources, understanding the needs of the parties and actually build this across Barbados and the business community through the BCCI and maybe the Barbados Private Sector Association, we have enough resources that we can actually make a meaningful impression.
“The police already have a fantastic programme. I am meeting with the Commissioner of Police [next week] so I will bring this up and see how we can make this work.”
The programme began in 2012 as a collaboration between residents, teachers and members of The Barbados Police Service and provides a safe afterschool space for children to complete assignments, access tutoring and receive mentorship.
Station Sergeant Jamal Mohan, of the Community Relationship Department and Juvenile Liaison Scheme, and Sergeant Wendell Weekes, officer in charge of the New Orleans/Chapman Lane Post, said the programme has become one of their most effective tools in crime prevention.
Over the past decade, more than 400 students have benefited from the initiative, with current enrolment at 19. Children ages six to 16 attend two days in the week and also on Saturdays.
“We saw several children running around and they had nothing to do. So we spoke to some of the parents in the area who wanted lessons for their children, but some of them could not afford lessons.
“We also used to work in the school within the area. And we decided we would get some of the children and we started with math, English and
reading,” said Mohan, also citing a Miss Gale who started the programme and the then financial assistance of Pan American Insurance.
“One of the best ways we can fight crime is by investing in education,” Weekes explained.
“This programme gives young people a safe environment and positive role models. It builds trust and creates a pathway to a better future.”
Mahon agreed, saying the programme was changing lives on the ground.
“When we talk about policing, this is it,” he said. “It’s not just about solving crime after it happens. It’s about giving young people a safe place, mentorship and opportunities so they never turn to crime in the first place.”
Weekes confirmed that demand is growing, with more children requesting to join than resources can accommodate.
“We only have this one room and it is on a first come basis for each term, so we need more space and more space means more money. We also need more tutors as we have two but that also means more money,” said Weekes, adding that he would also like to see the programme in other communities.
Success story
Tutor of mathematics, Calisa Wilson, who is now in the Erdiston Bachelors of Education degree programme, is a success story of the initiative.
“I started here in 2012 when I was in Grade 3. It’s about encouragement,” she said.
“When a child realises that people believe in them, the change is remarkable. We’ve seen children who were struggling in class gain confidence, improve their grades, and start to think differently about their futures,” said the past student of Combermere School.
Inniss, who volunteers on Saturdays, said this kind of grassroots model deserves long-term backing, not piecemeal donations.
“What we need now is a serious partnership between Corporate Barbados, the Government, and the community. If the private sector commits to programmes like this, we will see a reduction in crime, stronger families and a generation ready to contribute positively to the country.” (CA)
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