Leader of the Opposition's National Youth Day Message (September 2014)
This week has over the past years been celebrated as Youth Week with a culmination on National Youth Day. This year unfortunately seemed to have been marred with challenges and as a result has not been given the prominence that it deserves. Though regrettable, I encourage us to focus on the reason for the focus and the spirit behind the decision in 1995 to have a Holiday called National Youth Day.
Youth in my mind, remains our greatest asset and resource. They represent energy and life but also promise, hope and future. As we focus on youth this week, we ought to take the opportunity to see where we are going as a people and we should also attempt to view our future through the eyes of our children.
I believe that many will agree with me that our youth are so much more - wiser than we were at their age and many of them are simply brilliant. I celebrate those youth this year who are excelling in so many different disciplines and who continue to place TCI on the regional and international scene in a positive light.
Yet our youth for diverse reasons are today faced with a myriad of challenges that if we do not pay more than lip service to, can cripple their future and veer them off the course to becoming productive citizens. The lack of access to education at all levels, the privilege of sitting and learning in environments that are conducive to the purpose, unemployment, underemployment, abuse of all forms, lack of mentors and persons who are prepared to speak to them and not always at them, lack of opportunities to become employers and to live out many dreams in non - traditional areas especially in sports and expressive forms of art, these are but a few of the challenges faced. Nonetheless I believe that a comprehensive and collaborative approach with deliberate government policy can go a long way together with the continued and increasing partnership with private sector to changing the course that we are on.
I am a firm believer that it is to our country’s detriment if we do not invest more monies and time in our youth. I therefore celebrate those corporate citizens and civic groups whose mandate in helping our future is being fulfilled and evidenced through their donations in so many forms. I recently either became aware of, attended and/or was a part of recent private sector donations and this by no means diminishes what others did that I am unaware of. I say thank you to all but I wish to publicly thank Fortis for their gifts to some of our children, Amanyara for the Learning Center at OJPS, Sandals Foundation for the New Beginnings School for Continued Education and the donation of all the paints for the exterior of CHHS, TCI Paint Supply who also recently donated all of the interior paints to the CHHS, the many sporting bodies but special thanks to Rising Stars and Beaches for their Summer camps that provided wholesome activities for our youth over the Summer, Elite Academy who continues to pave the way for overseas scholarships through basketball for our boys and lastly Dwayne Wade’s Foundation. Partnering in securing a brighter future for our youth is a step in the right direction.
No entity can do it alone. We are all stakeholders in the future of the TCI. Whether we positively engage and invest in our youth determines what type of leaders we will have. We must remember the youth will be tomorrow’s leaders, and it is largely up to us as to what type of leaders they become.
As citizens, let us step up and assist where we can. Let us not allow the future of this country to be bleak when we are raising some of the brightest minds and sparks.
Let us celebrate our youth today and every day, speak positively into their lives and help them up and along when we can. They need us and we need them.
To our youth, much is expected of you. You must continue to choose wisely and make good decisions. Difficult times often produce the best, become one of the best. There remains persons committed to your future but you must yourself first be committed to the best future. Within you lies great promise and great hope. Purpose to live to your greatest potential and plot your path accordingly.
Happy National Youth Day!
May God bless us all.
Serving Youth, Inspiring Bravery (September 2014)
It is my pleasure to bring greetings on the celebration of National Youth Day 2014. This year, National Youth Day is celebrated under the theme’ Serving Youth, Inspiring Bravery’. What a challenging theme! As we all know a multitude of factors affect and influence young people as they grow up in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Whether it is family, friends, television, school or the society in general, the development of a young person into a well-functioning adult is dependent on many factors.
What is also important to note is that young people are not only on the receiving end of influence. Young people – Yes, you my young people, you are also influencing society as well. The theme calls for all young people to recognize that they can change and make a difference. That their thoughts, ideas and actions can impact and change the world. Young people, you are not passive receptors, you are agents of change. The theme encourages you to be bold, be inspired and be brave and go out and be that change.
This theme is challenging for us too as a Government and a Ministry, it means that we must create the avenues and opportunities to allow for serving youth, to give our young people a voice and to allow them to build their capacity, to be able to serve and to serve in whatever area they may choose.
My Government is committed to strengthening these avenues for you, our young people, to succeed. The current work we are engaged in with expanding certification in technical and vocational subjects at High School and College Levels will ensure that more young people have the tools to serve at any level and not just via academics.
The additional funding which will now target the New Introduction of the Cadet Program and our support of programs such as Junior Achievement are steps that will again strengthen the potential for our youth to really ‘be the change our country needs’ and to give them the confidence to be bold and to inspire others. These programs help to develop leadership qualities and a passion for community involvement.
On this National Youth Day as you celebrate in various ways, please remember this often used quote, which may seem cliché ,but rings true - You are the future leaders! I want you to ask yourself, what does service mean to you, how can you inspire change in others and in your community, how can you be part of any community group or organization that has our people as its core. There are many avenues to serve and to impact our community- You can find them!
I encourage you to Be bold ! Be Brave – Serve!
PDM Says TS Cristobal Raises Serious Issues and Pledges Assistance To The Government and Others
Each year we brace ourselves for events during the hurricane season that have the potential to be catastrophic. Thankfully, most years we are spared by the mercies of God.
A few days ago, our Islands experienced heavy rainfall during the passage of TS Cristobal. Unfortunately there are areas that suffered extensive flooding with resultant property damage and loss. This is especially true on the Islands of North Caicos and Providenciales.
Whilst shelters were used for the most vulnerable and displaced, we are eternally grateful to all who offered assistance in any form whether it was to rescue family members or fellow men. In times of trouble, it is good to know that we are still our brothers' keepers.
Members of the PDM have attempted to make the journey over to North Caicos two days after the storm had abated but due to difficulties with scheduling and lack of adequate ground transportation, we were forced to cancel our trip. But residents of the affected islands can rest assured that we will continue to monitor the situation. Unfortunately our trip may not be completed this week due to the House of Assembly being scheduled for Thursday and possibly Friday, but it will be done as soon as possible.
However we are aware of the severity of the situation from talking to residents, seeing photos and hearing releases from Government officials. We want to thank those hard working civil servants who have been completely absorbed in disaster relief and recovery efforts following the passage of this Storm. The Departments of DDME, Public Works, Environmental Health, Service Organisations and all Policy makers are doing their best to manage the aftermath and we pledge our assistance wherever they deem that we are able to help.
PDM’s elected members of Providenciales have been touring their constituencies and the entire Island of Providenciales lending assistance and arranging for the removal of water and debris from flooded areas through private offerings of equipment. We remain committed to helping in any other ways.
Going forward, we must see the need to adhere strictly to planning requirements including the digging of wells on lower parts of properties, the refusal of grants of lands in flood prone areas, the encouragement for residents to also seek to insure their property against damage and the general need for better drainage system on major Islands.
We await the official report and the quantification of loss and damage. We will also remain positioned to assist the Government where allowed and those that have suffered loss and damage. We encourage us all to continue to lend a helping hand.
On a sad note, one life was lost during the flooding. Though we cannot say the cause of death, we extend our sincerest sympathy to the family of Curven Rigby. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God be with the family as they deal with this sudden loss.
Let us remain focused on the continuing efforts to restore these Islands and to work on addressing the serious deficiencies in our storm water drainage and disaster mitigation plans.