PM Denzil Douglas Speaks To Youth
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 16, 2009 (CUOPM)
Young people assembled at the Players Pavilion at St. Kitts – Nevis’ Warner Park Cricket Stadium have been urged not to be afraid of the future and to use the Youth Empowerment through Skills (YES) Project, which will cater for 500 people to become skilled.
“I know that some of you must sometimes look at very successful people in this society and feel intimidated because the difference between your lives and theirs is so great. I think that the problem is that you are looking at them today “¦.but you are forgetting that they were once just as young and inexperienced as you are today,” said Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzuil L. Douglas.
“Remember that what you are seeing in these successful individuals is the result of years of dedication”¦.years of not giving up”¦.but years of believing in themselves to advance from where they were then to where they are today. Success you see today is their reward. Instead of being intimidated by them, I want you this morning to be inspired by them because many of today’s successful people were just as inexperienced as you, and just as insecure as you, when they were your age,” he said.
Using real live situations, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader pointed to the men and women who have been successful.
“A you think about your own dreams this morning, and as you wonder how you will ever get where you want to go, never forget that some of the federation’s most successful bakeries got started ““ when their owners were your own age – with nothing more than the first 5 lb bag of flour. Never forget that some of the federation’s most successful builders got started ““ when they were your age ““ by somebody teaching them how to lay the first brick”¦ how to lay the first block or basic carpentry”¦.or masonry.”
This morning never forget that some of the federation’s most successful automobile dealers got started ““ when they were your age ““ by somebody teaching them how to change the oil in the car and how to recognise the battery from another part of the vehicle. Never forget that some of the largest stores in town got started ““ when the owners were your own age – by someone selling a few pieces of cloth, or a few cups and plates, out of a small plastic bag that they carried from door to door selling their goods,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He charged the young people to allow their dreams to become a reality.
“Today, you can make that start by starting with the YES Project. And take it where you want to be in the future. Once you build your lives and you build the lives for your children and the lives of the people of this country. My point, then, is that you have taken the important first step to a good and successful life by signing up for the YES Project. And so we congratulate you and share with you the joy, the inner feeling and the emotions that at last we have come together and we are starting something together that will move our young people forward and will make some meaningful contributions in the development of our beautiful St. Kitts and Nevis,” Dr. Douglas said.
“Look at how our people flock to the fruit and vegetable boats from Dominica and the other islands. People want to buy locally grown foods. This can produce a very good livelihood ““ and that, too, can be you starting with the first step in agriculture. Look around you at all the cars and the buses rushing around the federation. Someone has to fix these cars. Someone has to fix these cars. That someone can be you, making the first start by signing up with YES ““ the first start to become our future mechanics here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” the Prime Minister added, urging the youths to follow that up with a spirit of faith and hardwork and determination.
He pointed to the numerous buildings that are under construction. “They need electricians, plumbers, and masons “¦.More good livelihoods. Why not you being part of that?!
Look at the many businesses in the federation ““ they need tailors and seamstresses to make their uniforms”¦..they need persons with good customer relations and computer skills. All of these persons can eventually be you and your government. All of these positions represent good livelihoods and any of them can be yours today,” Dr. Douglas urged.
He commended the participants of the National Consultation on Crime in December of last year as it was out of their contributions and discussions that the YES Project started.
“Today I commend the business community; I commend the individuals, the entrepreneurs, the private and public institutions and organisations; the management committee and the facilitators for the partnership and the support of the project,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who expressed thanks to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Government and People of Cuba for their support for this particular programme.
“The YES Programme has far more areas of possible training than I can ever begin to list here today. Though some of you will be starting here in St. Kitts and Nevis, eventually the programme will take you to Cuba and to Venezuela where some of the components will be pursued if you show the capacity, if you show that you have the competence to move the next step forward as you learn and develop the skills that you will be introduced to,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
