United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Larry Palmer, this week visited the Boys Training Centre (BTC) at Massade.

The juvenile rehabilitation facility is a recipient of technical assistance through the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The assistance includes the provision of a range of equipment for vocational training, which to date has been very beneficial for the wards who expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to practice useful skills.

Ambassador Palmer, accompanied by a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment engaged the boys in discussion about their experiences. The BTC’s newly established orchestra also took the opportunity to perform for Ambassador Palmer, using instruments recently donated to the institution by the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Later, the Ambassador met with BTC star football player Cherdam Seraphine, who is currently making waves as a qualifier on a regional team scheduled to participate in the Dallas Cup tournament in the United States in March. 

The Ambasssador commended the wards on their extraordinary talent and urged them to continue to develop their skills.

The Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment is proud of the achievements of the BTC and continues to work to improve social and judicial systems geared toward nurturing the island’s youth as the stewards of the future.