After school programme needs more funding
(CNS): With 1400 children already taking part and more kids joining each school year, the Extended After-School Programme (EASP) is in need of cash and Michael Myles, the programme coordinator for at-risk-youth for the education ministry said it is grateful for the community support. Last week, the Scotiabank and Trust (Cayman) Ltd. presented a cheque for CI$5,000 to Myles, as the banks is one of the major supporters of this programme and has been a sponsor for the past two years. “We are very grateful for the continued support of Scotiabank and all our generous sponsors,” said Michael Myles.
“As the student demand and interest in the programme increases year after year, we continue to need and always welcome more community support,” he added.
The programme is available at both primary and high schools; Clifton Hunter High School, John Gray High School, Cayman Brac High School, Sir John A. Cumber Primary School, George Town Primary School, Red Bay Primary School, Bodden Town Primary School, North Side Primary School and Cayman Brac Primary School.
The ministry said the programme, which began in 2011 under the previous administration, provides wholesome and challenging activities after school in a structured environment, led by caring and knowledgeable paid and voluntary instructors. It operates Monday through Friday with its day-to-day operations managed by the Cayman Outreach Association.
The programme continues to improve with new initiatives and standards for the 2013-14 year. Several of the improvements include handbooks for students and parents, an orientation programme, safety training for instructors and volunteers in CPR and first aid, an identification programme for both instructors and students, and a uniform shirt for all instructors.
For more information on the programme or to make donations, please contact Michael Myles at 916-4992 or via email at info@easp.ky
Category: Local News
This program will indeed help many young children! Mr. Myles has very positive and high hopes for the future generations of young people. The work he has put into making this a successful program is clear proof of that. This is not JUST an after school program where children are babysat by the coodinators. They are being mentored, spoken to and encouraged to express themselves through different activies. They have a SAFE PLACE to go to, where they feel free to be who they are without judgement. They have a place where they have a chance to gain a different perspective on life, especially if their perspective is already blurred with negative influences/experiences,etc. This program is supposed to inspire hope in children, hope for a better day, a better life, no matter how good or bad their life is already. There is always room for improvement and this program will help to improve many childrens life !!
Why is this programme not being funded by the parents of the children involved? Maybe what we need to do is spend the money on a birth control programme.
Back in the day, when competent teachers were hired and treated as respectable human beings, they were more than willing to volunteer their services for such programmes. I know where we went wrong, do you?
Back in the day ….. grades plummeted to pathetic levels and gangs (sorry, groups) started to form. Let's not forget that bit.
One good reason why we went wrong is because we are not holding all the deadbeat dads and mothers hand to the grind to contribute to the well being of their children – but these are not responsible for how they came into this world – Mr. Myles you seem to be doing a good job in seeing that we do not have too many un-managed children in our society. I guess with a little foundation from these ages we will be suprise of the up-bringing in our society. We need more outside help for this to happen.