Arthur Town High School
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Cat Island, Bahamas
- After many failed attempts, two new units of the Governor General Youth Award have come on stream in Cat Island.
With
new units up and running at the Arthur's Town and Old Bight High
Schools, Cat Island joins the ranks of other islands such as New
Providence, Grand Bahama, Long Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco and
Andros where the 24-year-old programme has a presence.
"This
is not the first time that the GGYA has been present in Cat Island, but
it will be the first time that volunteers are in place and that will
help make the units more successful," said GGYA's national director,
Denise Mortimer.
"The G.O.L.D. Initiative provided finances and sponsorships to the students of Cat Island. It was the only way it could happen."
Recognizing
the value of the GGYA, in October 2010, the government entered into a
three-year contract with the youth programme to provide funding,
logistical and marketing support through the G.O.L.D. Initiative.
G.O.L.D. is an acronym for Greatness, Opportunity, Leadership and
Development.
The
initiative's goal is to bring every school on every island of The
Bahamas into the GGYA programme, opening it up to participants from age
14 to 25.
Earlier
this year, the GGYA was able to reconnect with old schools and bring
defunct units back to life. GGYA units were re-launched in Eleuthera,
not only at Preston Albury but also at North and Central Eleuthera High
Schools.
The Exuma schools, L.N. Coakley High and St Andrews Anglican School, combined to form one unit.
Old Bight High School
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The GGYA was also able to break new ground in Spanish Wells where an entirely new unit came on stream.
Unit
Leader and Religious Studies teacher at Old Bight High School, Olga
Wilson, sees the GGYA as an opportunity for Family Island students
especially, to break from their monotonous, daily routine.
"Every
day, all they do is go to school, then home and then to church," she
explained. "Being a part of the GGYA will give the students positive
exposure and alter their typical activities."
A total of 45 students from the two Cat Island schools have registered for the programme.
The
GGYA is a member of The International Award Association. The Award is
an exciting self-development programme available to all young people
worldwide, equipping them with life skills to make a difference in
themselves, their communities and the world.
Among
other things, participants develop a positive self-image and a
connection to a broader society. They learn team skills and a
willingness to try new things. The adventurous journey component, in
particular, teaches participants how to make a plan then act on it.
