Collet residents promote education to area youths

In response to the crime and violence dominating the old capital, a group of concerned citizens have banded together in an attempt to change the status quo. Describing themselves as a non-political entity, the Collet Youth Development Cooperative was formed four months ago and is designed to uplift the lives of young people in its area. According to Vice President Kadine Kingston the aim of the organisation is show disadvantaged youths how to help themselves.

Kadine Kingston, Vice Pres., Collet Youth Development Co-operative
“If they didn’t have a good educational background or they’re not very familiar with positive recreationals then we’d like to provide those for them. We raise funds on our own and we help them to probably put them back in school or if there’s a programme we try to enrol them in that.”

Marion Ali
“What gives you the motivation to do this?”

Kadine Kingston
“Actually we look at people and we see how much they need help and we would like to provide that help for them.”

Marion Ali
“Ok, if I rephrase it and ask what’s in this for you?”

Kadine Kingston
“Well we’re not actually getting anything out of it. We’re not looking for any rewards. It’s just the kindness of our hearts and we’re dedicated to doing this.”

The cooperative, which was involved in the first Collet Day last month, is also planning to launch a toy drive for needy children this Christmas. According to Treasurer Kiphanie Wade, various fundraisers have been planned to support the initiative.

Kiphanie Wade, Treasurer, Collet Youth Development Cooperative
“We also are having a Chetumal trip in December, the first of December, we’re coming back the second, it’s an overnight trip. The funds from this trip will also be put towards the toy drive that we want to have in December and on Christmas Eve my group and myself want to go out and try to share the true meaning of Christmas with people that are less fortunate, the homeless you know. And we would really like the trip to become as successful as the Collet Day and so we are really pleading to people to come, call me if they like to get more information about the trip and come out have fun, I think it will be fun. We’ll be staying at the Brazilia Hotel.”

Roundtrip price for the Chetumal trip is twenty-five dollars while the hotel charge is estimated at thirty dollars. For more information about the Collet Cooperative, please contact Kadine Kingston at 625-8323 or Kiphanie Wade at 625-1678.