By ALBERT COX

THE CRY for support throughout the Bahamas to help the development of the younger generation has become a major social topic that reveals a greater need for mentoring and discipline.

The Simpson C Penn Boys to Men Mentoring Programme has been a beacon of hope for many schools throughout New Providence, assisting some of the most difficult young men. It now helps women with the recent addition of the “Girls to Ladies Programme”.

Students from schools, including D W Davis, Anatol Rodgers, T A Thompson, C C Sweeting, C I Gibson, A F Adderley, H O Nash, Government High and R M Bailey have been assisted.

Founder/Director Simpson C Penn told The Tribune of what the scheme is attempting to accomplish and the experience of the students in this redevelopment and reform programme for troubled students that has been accredited by the Ministry of Education’s Refocus Programme.

“This programme was developed 17 years ago,” Mr Penn said. “When we first started, we were an all-boys programme that later became a community-based organisation designed to equip, train and motivate young men to become productive citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Our programme adapted some of the “Boys Brigade Programme” in the way they dealt with developing youth, but later evolved in our own approach through the discipline of Martial Arts, clear and precise teachings on the Kingdom of God, whereby each boy would understand his purpose and identity in life, which we decided to focus on four subjective areas of their life – spiritually, physically, educationally and socially. A curriculum was developed for each, especially reading skills because we have identified throughout the years many of the students that come to us are not adequately reading and comprehending at a level in which they should be.

“In our alignment with the Ministry of Education, we assess the academic, social and psychology order of the child, which we make a determination of what we believe is best in assisting them. The quantity of students we deal with regularly varies on our programme. On average, I can say we try to stick around ten but at times we go over that amount. In perspective of our afternoon programme we have as high as 20 or more.

“Our programme is set at a two-weeks standard to 12 weeks but we try to negotiate with the schools, if we understand the child needs more time, which is always best, because of the sensitivity of the issues that some of them face. When I founded this programme it was because I had seen sufficient social ills in my community and numerous environments that I wanted to contribute to the young men who were coming up. For as I understand in the Bible and in life that the man is the head, but not only the head but in my interpretative understanding also the foundation for society. It is important that our young men understand the responsibility to their life, society and what they should be representing. My focus is to awaken their consciousness rightfully to walk the right path that makes a greater contribution with a good sense of pride and humility.”

Kendra Bowe, the Director/Centre Manager, said: “It is important for us to have balance as a youth programme illustrating many facets of social development in literacy correspondence, ethical behaviour and spiritual awareness. Since I have been part of this incredible programme, I have seen many students from various schools with drug addictive problems, behavioural issues with authority, physical abuse, sexual abuse and many other social ills that contaminate their orderliness as a human being, be moulded into a better person.”

“I am ecstatic we recently added “Girls to Ladies Mentoring Programme”, which I believe is an added blessing. Because it is important that the kind of discipline and education we teach, be dispensed throughout both genders to produce individuals with a common understanding of a progressive way of life. Adding the girls who have similar issues as the boys is unique in its own right because we get to explore and understand more of what is driving them to act out in the way that they are.”

“On occasion of hearing feedback from the parents and schools come and speak on the difference on the child, speaks volumes to how we are working with them in this programme. It brings joy to our spirit to know that we are making a difference assisting with the development of society, one child at a time.”

Those working with Mr Penn on the programme include Randy Cunningham (Vice President), Kendra Bowe (Director/Centre Manager), Pastor Burton Lockhart (Director), Myrurgia Hernandez (Physical and Character Development Life Coach), Tony Barnett (Skills Instructor) and Shanek Taylor (Secretary). Among the many sponsors of the scheme are the US Embassy, Bahamas Faith Ministries, Dave Burrows Youth Family Centre and Ronald Ingraham. The office is at the Youth and Family Centre of Pastor Dave and Angie Burrows at #10 Bakers Close off Oakes Field.