Latest update December 6th, 2024 4:51 AM
Jan 28, 2010 News
– Empowerment through human development and skills training
Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre located at 146 sections A Sophia will be celebrating its tenth anniversary on January 31, 2010.
The Board and Administration have planned a week-long celebration to mark this anniversary, including a Mass of Thanksgiving, the start of a trainee Alumni Association, publication of the Centre’s fourth Annual Report, a reception, launch of a “Sponsor a Trainee” project, official opening of the new library to the local community of Sophia, and a special activities for the current trainees.
According to Programme Director, Patricia Liverpool, Mercy Wings has graduated approximately 300 trainees, most of whom have secured jobs, and a number of whom have gone on for more advanced education.
By educating and training at-risk youth, many of whom were school drop-outs, the Centre is contributing to the future of Guyana by taking teenagers off the streets and giving them the life skills they need to be productive, self-sufficient adults who can make a meaningful contribution to their respective communities and by extension, the wider society.
She said the programme lasts one year and classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are designed to register 100 trainees of all ethnic groups, in each school year, primarily from the Sophia Area where the Centre is located. Classes in English, Mathematics, Basic Computer Skills, and Adolescent Development are offered.
Ms Liverpool explained one-to-one or small group tutoring in basic literacy is provided as needed. Instruction is available in three skills areas: Catering and Home Management; Child Care and Care of the Elderly; General Construction (Carpentry, Joinery, Masonry, and Plumbing).
Adolescent Development is a major component of the programme. It helps the teenagers to learn who they are, develop a positive self-image; explore the nature of family and their relationship to parents and siblings, to learn anger management and conflict resolution, to gain practical knowledge about drugs, alcohol, AIDS, smoking, gambling, and violent behaviour. Special classes such as drumming dance and dramatics are provided when possible.
In addition to academic and skills classes, trainees have an opportunity in weekly craft sessions to explore their creative side, and through field trips, to gain a broader lens through which to view the world.
Field trips always include a visit to the prison, where trainees have an opportunity to hear from the staff and several of the prisoners in order to encourage them to make wise choices in their own lives.
Physical education is provided and sports events and competition with other local programs are scheduled. Another major aspect of the programme is provision of a daily, nutritious, hot lunch for trainees.
Breakfast is provided on an as-needed basis. A child care facility is also available for the community and the trainees.
The organisation was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of Guyana in the year 2000, The mission of Mercy Wings is to facilitate the transformation of youths who are labeled as ‘failures’ into a new kind of youth who have a positive self-image, have integrated sound moral values and a healthy spirituality, and are socially conscious.
Empowerment through human development and skills training enables them to be self-sufficient, motivated to take charge of their lives, and become agents of social and attitudinal change.
Mercy Wings works in collaboration with other organizations in the area doing basic skills education and with the Ministry of Education. It taps into local expertise for guest lecturers in the areas of healthy life styles, AIDS prevention, dangers of alcohol and drugs, effective parenting, etc.
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