Markham SweeTTalkers Toastmasters Club 4635 Issue #10, June 2014 | Page 10

2014 was a little different than the normal YLP. I was asked by Sister Grace Yap, Director of Franciscan Ministries to do a YLP for underprivileged youth in Braes River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. During a discussion with Sister Grace, she said “The poor also needs leaders in their community”. This opened my eyes to a different level of volunteering – helping the poor so they can have a more fruitful life. The setting was a student centre in Braes River, St. Elizabeth for youths ages 12-19 at the end of March 2014. Many of these young men are faced with big challenges in the regular school system and in the community. Students from the nearby Caribbean Youth Summit participated in the YLP workshop. This workshop was also attended by village elders who were keen on knowing what the workshop covers and how it would help their youth. This workshop was more challenging than previous ones but was appreciated by all that attended. I was later invited by Sister Grace to do a follow up workshop in 2015. I look forward to inspiring and motivating these students to develop their leadership and communication skills which will later assist them in furthering their education and advancing in the working world.