Philipsburg:--- Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Rhoda Arrindell said on Wednesday that the Get off the Block, Get on the Bus GB3 youth project will be launched on Saturday April 2nd 2011. The Minister said on that day two buses will be available to pick up pre-registered participants from the various districts during a drive that will also serve as an island tour to give the youngsters a good and perhaps different view of their island, St. Maarten.
This would hopefully serve as a motivation for them to want to make it even better, because it belongs to them. On the bus, they will be introduced to mentors specially chosen from various walks of life, who are expected to ultimately adopt them. The bus ride will end up at Port de Plaisance where they will have lunch and be addressed by motivational speakers from the island and from Tallahassee, Florida, where a similar program has been enjoying resounding success.
Several stakeholders who have pledged support to the project will be able to establish booths from where they can communicate directly with the youngsters to offer them their services.
The day will conclude with an exhibition basketball game between the worlds famous AND 1 who will be returning to the island solely for this purpose, and a St. Martin selection that will include some of the participants. Naturally, AND 1 will also address the youth.
The Minister said within short the pre-registration drive will begin in the various districts the Minister said. Targeted are boys and girls between the 13 and 25 age group who are jobless, need training or need to go back to finish their schooling.
"We want to get them off the block, get them on the bus and get them busy immediately after the April 2nd launch."Minister Arrindell said the project is a pilot project which will last for three months until June. Some of the partners have been expressing eagerness to start with the project. The Minister also launched the poster for the GB3 project which was created by Loic Bryan.
St. Martin News Network
Get off the Block, Get on the Bus Slated for April 2nd.
/ 2
-
16-03-2011 16:44 |Unregistered| great start
Great start Minister Arrindell, hopefully all our young people with get on board and want to change their current situation. Give them the tools and teach them how to work, help them find jobs, teach them to have self respect and want more for their lives. No more handouts on election day. They need so much more, but this is definately a great start.
-
17-03-2011 01:26 |Unregistered| !winks
this is something great.. at least she is trying to do smthing. great job. hope it will be a success
-
17-03-2011 07:34 |Unregistered| Leopold JAMES
Although I am not familiar with the details of the obejectives for this project, one thing I know.
There is no 'magic wand' that can solve all the problems of our young people because they have been neglected for too long and left to fester for decades.
However, I certainly appreciate the efforts of Minnister ARRINDELL to use creative thinking to start addressing the challenges facing our youngsters.
After all, they are our most valuable a**ets for the future.
Much sucess
-
17-03-2011 10:39 |Unregistered| sxmner
people stop critizing the minister she was never in government before and now that she is doing something postive you all are not please is it because your government did not do it or think to do something good for once. when you were born did you all start waling right away? so im saying to the minister a great thing you are doing God bless you for starting somewhere.
-
17-03-2011 13:19 |Unregistered| Shooz
Good news and a good initiative. Two thumbs up!!! Not everything done by the minister is negative.
-
18-03-2011 07:01 |Unregistered| Applaud to Minister Arrindell
I applaud your inititive on thisproject Minister of Education. Keep focus and positive. With God strenght and endurance you he will lead you through
-
18-03-2011 08:44 |Unregistered| Jeffrey again!!!
I thought he lost at the election. Seems he has the contacts to get a nice job. I wasn't aware he has a social workers diploma or any qualification. I see this www.drugreesxm.org poster was out first, but of course not high profile and no biog money behind it. Funny they have the same poster idea. hmmm. You be the judge.
be realistic, these boys don't want work they are comfortable with the weeds.
My slution... get a job abd stick with it until ucan doo better,