Mentors meet protégés

(CNS): One of the oldest and best methods of teaching young people about the real world the Mentoring Cayman Programme saw 58 mentors paired with their protégés last month for the 2008-2009 programme. Immediate Past Chamber President James Tibbetts said that mentoring, “can be one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and life altering experiences of a lifetime.”

Speaking at the reception held at the Marriott Beach Resort where Mentors, students and families met for the first time, Tibbetts said the mentor-protégé relationship is perhaps the ultimate teaching experience: a one-on-one transfer of accumulated knowledge and wisdom which can benefit both the Mentor and the student. “By simply offering friendship, guidance and encouragement, to a young person growing up today is one of the main beauties of being a successful mentor,” Tibbetts added.

He told the students to take full advantage of the opportunity, to ask questions, share concerns, have a positive attitude and be committed to their own development. “Having a mentor is like having a compass. It can ultimately depend on the direction you take,” Tibbetts explained.

The central goals of Mentoring Cayman are to motivate students to achieve higher results in school; introduce them to potential new career paths; encourage them to go on to postsecondary education; help them to understand their own strengths and capabilities and to develop a positive work ethic. Each Mentor and student meet one “school day” per month for seven months at the Mentor’s place of work. The first official workplace visit is scheduled for Tuesday 9 December.

Mentoring Cayman is a joint youth initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports & Culture. For more information about Mentoring Cayman or any other Chamber of Commerce programme contact Joanne Diaz- Berry, Programmes & Events Manager on 949 8090 (ext. 123) or email joanne.berry@caymanchamber.ky