USING A POSITIVE CHOICES CURRICULUM, WHICH INCLUDED LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, THE ASP PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ubuntu Movement, a leading local non-profit organization, are proud to announce the successful conclusion of the After School Program (ASP) designed to empower youth in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia. The program, which was a part of USAID’s Youth Resilience and Inclusive Education (Y-RIE) Program, provided young people with the tools, skills, and support they need to build a brighter future.
For the past 14 weeks, the ASP, led by the Ubuntu Movement, significantly impacted the lives of more than 50 youth between the ages of 11 and 17 from communities in Vieux Fort through a multifaceted approach to foster resilience, creativity, and personal growth.
Using a Positive Choices curriculum, which included life skills training, the ASP provided students with personal development support, skills development, academic support, psychosocial assistance and exposure to sports, arts and culture activities. The creative component allowed the students to explore themes related to positive choices, express themselves creatively, and understand the importance of making responsible decisions. The participants’ parents also gained valuable insights during three parenting sessions designed to equip them with effective strategies for providing positive guidance and support to their children.
During a closing ceremony, Ubuntu Program Coordinator Bernell St. Rose praised the students' remarkable progress, highlighting their resilience, creativity, and personal growth over the course of the program. The Right Honorable Priest Kailash Leonce, Deputy President of the Ubuntu Movement inspired students by encouraging them to carry forward the skills and lessons they have learned as they continue their journeys.
Jonathan Chalon, Senior Program Manager of the USAID Y-RIE Program, emphasized USAID's commitment to fostering strong protective factors that support positive youth development. He noted the importance of initiatives like the ASP in strengthening family systems by equipping parents with the skills needed to reduce risks and promote healthy development of children.
The program's success was further strengthened by substantial support from Forest Springs Ltd., Heineken Saint Lucia, True Value Building & Hardware Supplies Ltd., Saint Lucia Table Tennis Association, Saint Lucia Teqball Association, RISE Saint Lucia, and the Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports. This support included donations of water, sports equipment, and stationery.
The Ubuntu Movement Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through holistic development programs such as SEEDS for Justice, Peace, and Economic Prosperity. Though this program, the organization sought to reduce crime and violence while supporting youth in Vieux Fort and ultimately Saint Lucia.
The USAID Y-RIE program was formally launched in Saint Lucia in February 2023. The ASP builds on several recent youth-focused initiatives between Y-RIE and its partners, such as the Ignite Project with the National Enrichment and Learning (NELU), an entrepreneurial competency and TVET skills-building program for youth in Anse la Raye and Gros Islet, and the Summer School Program with Uplift Saint Lucia for youth in Castries.