Premier and First District Representative Andrew Fahie wants other district representatives in the British Virgin Islands to emulate him and implement an afterschool programme for youngsters in their respective constituencies.
Fahie made the call while stating that the Bambelela Afterschool Programme in his district has positively impacted students of his community.
He said: “For years we have had the Bambelela Afterschool Programme running effectively in this First District. This programme is very dear to my heart because as a young man, I had difficulties in three areas in English -and those areas were writing, reading and speaking. And, I remember hustling to different communities across the territory at different hours of the day just to get help with tutors so that I could improve my growth and development.”
“I had to travel far from the First District just to get the extra help when I was younger. In understanding these personal struggles, I always promised myself that if I ever got money or would be placed in a position of positive influence, I would pave the way for those who needed the help to get it because the long journeys were not easy for me. o out of my pain came my passion to fulfil this purpose for others,” he explained.
Proud
The First District Representative said he has grown proud of the programme.
“Today, it fills my heart with great joy to see some of those very young people who were once in Bambelela now excelling in college and taking their rightful place in this society and world. Through the Bambelela programme, we saved many lives, and as a result, we may have very well saved this territory,” the First District Representative said on Saturday during his annual district report presentation in Capoon’s Bay.
“I will continue to encourage other district representatives to adopt such an initiative like Bambelela for I believe that district by district we can and will build a stronger and greener BVI,” he added.
More about the programme
His homework study programme officially started in 2014. Today some 40 students are enrolled in the programme which recommenced in August last year after it was interrupted by hurricanes Irma and Maria back in 2017.
It is now being temporarily housed at the Seventh Day Adventist Youth Centre in Carrot Bay.