A small group of young people from the Cayman Islands are receiving a helping hand when it comes to their personal, spiritual and academic development, thanks to volunteers and corporate sponsors with the Positive Intervention Now or ‘PIN’ programme.
With the help of corporate donations such as that given by PwC, the PIN programme is able to provide 15 Year 6 students with a nurturing and welcoming environment in which to grow in all aspects of their lives.
The PIN programme is an after-school initiative developed by the Education and Youth Committee of St. George’s Anglican Church. The programme is run by church members as well as members of the community who are volunteering their time to assist young people, who all attend George Town Primary School. Youngsters come to the programme three afternoons a week, which runs after school until 6pm.
PwC’s Territory Senior Partner Frazer Lindsay and Assurance and Business Development Manager Angilynn Chan both paid a visit to the young people to see for themselves how the children benefit from such guidance.
Mr. Lindsay and Ms. Chan heard the young people were specifically chosen by their school as those most likely to benefit from the programme.
The idea of the PIN programme came about from a project that PIN organiser and volunteer the Reverend Mary Graham had worked on, gathering information in the prisons for a government study. Ms Graham explained how prisoners told her their lives could have been changed around had they received positive guidance at an early age. She came to realise the Islands needed to establish a programme specifically targeting children young enough so their mind and spirit could be guided as early as possible.
PIN coordinator Marlene Ricketts said, “We strongly believe in making a positive impact on young people before they reach high school. Year 6 can be a challenging time as it is the transition period from childhood to teenage years, so we really felt it necessary to focus on this age group.”
The PIN programme is in its fourth year. Youngsters learn a range of skills from the academic through culinary, cultural, personal grooming and etiquette. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate, with regular opportunities for parental skills enhancement, family events and celebration of the children’s achievements. The young people also have the opportunity to attend field trips and at the end of the academic year they are treated to a trip abroad for further educational exposure and to put all their skills learned into practice. So far they have visited Washington and Chicago and in July 2012 they hope to visit Atlanta.
“Donations from corporate sponsors such as those we have received from PwC fund the day-to-day activities of the programme and we hold fundraisers to pay for the overseas trips. We are truly grateful to all our corporate sponsors for enabling us to provide the youngsters with such an important springboard,” PIN board member Joan Henry said.
Mrs. Henry said donations of time and money are always gratefully received.
Mr. Lindsay confirmed that PwC was committed to assisting the PIN programme and said, “The Positive Intervention Programme really is a positive force for good within the community. Having attended the programme and seen first-hand how young people are benefitting in all areas of their lives, we are delighted to ensure that it continues.”
Mr. Lindsay also said the PwC Corporate Responsibility Committee has recently pledged more than 1,000 volunteer hours to assist with such community projects. The committee members have arranged for volunteers to help out directly with the programme as part of PwC’s “Leading the change” month of service.
If you are interested in donating or getting involved with the PIN programme, please call 926-1551/916-8522 or email [email protected]
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