Summer Crash Academy Incorporated Network – delivers explosive mobile workshops to displaced children, residing in government shelters
On Friday 9th April 2021 approximately 8:41 am a violent eruption of the La Soufriere Hills volcano left many families seeking refuge in shelters across St. Vincent and Grenadines, among those displaced were the vulnerable (the elderly and the disabled).
Summer Crash Academy Incorporated, a small not-for-profit organisation swiftly partnered with a network of groups locally to assist with relief efforts and to offer pyscho-social support, especially to the children who were displaced.
Program facilitator Ms. Mordel Cato, told reporters that her team conducted a field analysis to gather data on the total number of persons displaced that required some form of assistance.
“It was an extremely difficult but important task since most persons were scattered across the nation.” She lamented.
“Similarly, we live in a civic society and it is our role as a NGO to volunteer our services during this time of natural disaster.”
“The information collected was processed and many persons received the necessary assistance through collaborative efforts with other such organisations.”
Commenting on the just concluded mobile workshop she explained that “the programs offered by the organisation are ranked as the most consistent and comprehensive training workshops for children between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. We have been serving the children in the community of North Leeward since 2008.”
Ms. Cato, highlighted that these mini-workshops provided pyscho- social support to the children that were displaced.”It had become a grave concern the number of children that were seen on their government-issued devices playing games and generally surfing the internet during the displacement. When opportunities like these present themselves, where children are left unsupervised for an extended period they can be easily tempted to venture onto hazardous terrains which can alter their behaviors. Thus, workshops like these help to raise awareness and to propose ways to parents on how these situations can be handled given the unfortunate circumstance.”
Additionally, the workshops were in preparation for the annual Summer Crash Academy Kids Workshop scheduled for Summer 2021.
She also told news reporters that four shelters were selected namely the Kingstown Preparatory School, Bethel High School, Buccament Bay Secondary and the Barrouallie Government School to conduct these mini-workshops with the idea to shuttle children from the surrounding shelter to participate in the activities at these central points.
The children were engaged in creative arts activities. They were reminded of the protocols to stay safe during the global pandemic. They were also engaged in lively discussions on: how to
conduct themselves whilst surfing the internet, coping with stress associated with being inside from the corona virus and the recent volcanic eruption and handling sexual preditors.
Another facilitator La Fluer John stated that “The children had lots of fun. I have been a volunteer for quite a while. I have worked with the children in the creative arts department and it is very rewarding to see the children complete their projects”
At the conclusion of the workshops, participants were given a number of stationery supplies and got a chance to interact with local soca artiste Darren “Magikal” Rouse.
The organiser would like to say a special thank you to those children who participated in the workshops and also the parents who assisted in the overall success of the workshops. The other facilitators on the program were: Doreth Ashton, Lafluer John, Sia Creese, Kenica Nichols and Zarriah John.
The organisers continue to solicit your continued support and the generous contribution of the business community towards the success of future programs. For further information on the organisation and how you can contribute kindly contact us at (784) 492 -3051.
