Give GIS wards a 2nd chance

Barbadians are being urged to give residents of the Government Industrial School a second chance.

The call has come from the School’s Acting Principal, Seilest Bradshaw.

She noted that while juvenile offenders do not have criminal records, former residents of the School are often outed in their communities and face stigma and discrimination.

Ms. Bradshaw says the School has transformed its programme to include potential avenues for self-employment to ensure residents can sustain themselves when they leave.

She was speaking during the closing ceremony for the Building Climate Smart Livelihood Through Opportunity, Outreach and Mentorship or BLOOM Project.

The Project, which is being facilitated by the Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit, involved nine GIS residents being paired with a student mentor from the University of the West Indies.

The boys were introduced to climate smart farming practices and ornamental gardening, while the girls had classes on solar photovoltaic installation and care.

Ms. Bradshaw says the mentorship aspect has had a positive impact on the residents’ behaviour.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Information Yvette Goddard says the BLOOM Project is integral to the Government’s new vision for juvenile justice.

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