Funding cuts nationwide have taken their toll on numerous programmes across the board, not the least of which has been funding for youth programmes.
Yet the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) continues to grow and flourish, thanks to its partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, via the G.O.L.D. Initiative.
The initiative, announced by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Charles Maynard in June last year, has helped to strengthen and expand the GGYA. Eleuthera and Exuma are the latest Family Islands to benefit.
“For the first time in the 24-year history of the GGYA we have the Spanish Wells All Age School and the St Andrews Anglican School in Exuma coming on board with 20 and six participants signed up, respectively,” announced the GGYA’s national executive director, Denise Mortimer, on Tuesday.
“Five other schools are coming back on stream following a three-year hiatus, thanks, in large part, to the G.O.L.D. Initiative,” she said.
The North Eleuthera High School and the Preston H. Albury High School have relaunched their GGYA units with 28 and 32 participants, respectively. Meantime, the Harbour Island All Age School and the Central Eleuthera High School have each registered 26 participants. The Exuma schools, L.N. Coakley High and St Andrews Anglican School, have combined to form one GGYA unit, totalling 35 participants.
“We are excited that we are reconnecting with the old schools and we’re extremely pleased that we have formed a new partnership with Spanish Wells,” Ms Mortimer said. “Because of the G.O.L.D. Initiative partnership, we are now able to bring our people back in and start up new units. This funding mechanism allows us to extend our reach once again.”
Recognizing the value of the GGYA, the government has 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.
The Award programme is based on the successful completion of hiking expeditions, coupled with community service, mastering new skills and physical activities. After fulfilling time requirements, participants are eligible for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
The Governor General Youth Award (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 to themselves, their communities and the world.
To date, almost eight million young people from 132 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.
Those interested in supporting or participating in the programme may contact the GGYA’s National Office at 326-1760.
