Burgher Kings and Queens...

What do inner city kids in Kingston do on Saturday nights? Go to the movies? Parties?

Well...not quite.

There is a group of kids in Burgher Gardens, Kingston that meet every Saturday, from 7-9 in a church classroom.

These are not just ordinary high school and college kids, these kids are a part of the Burgher Progressive Youth Club where young people from the ages of 5 and up meet throughout the week.

This club started under a tree two years ago, the group celebrates its second anniversary this October. Group members: Randy, the President/Commandante, Fitzroy, the VP, Kethania, the Secretary, Avonda, the Assistant Secretary, Robert, the Treasurer, Renny and Kenny, PRO, and Shawn and Conrad, the Sports Coordinators.

Burgher Gardens experienced a 'war' in the community three years ago, and many of the group leaders grew up in this environment. As a result of this, they formed the Burgher Progressive Youth Club. The clubis a registered part of Youth Crime Watch, and because of this, it has a bank account set up, and links to a network of resources and is featured in their latest newsletter http://www.ycwa.org/world/jamaica/watchmanv1n2.pdf

This group aims to address several things. It aims to reduce the negative stigma of Burgher. Because of the community violence, many people do not want to be associated with it, and don't want to admit that they are from this area. The group aims to reinforce the sense of self-identity, discipline, and self-respect. It offers homework support, tutoring, travel and recreational activities and mentoring.

Like many other inner city areas of Kingston, the youth face dire futures. They cannot get jobs, they drop out of schools and they cannot afford the ever increasing tuition of Jamaica's colleges. These problems are especially prevalent among the males of the inner city.

Males make up about half of the leaders of this youth group, and two of them are college students. One is a college graduate who cannot get a job. What are young, talented, intelligent, passionate youth to do with no jobs, no support? They can either turn to the streets OR they can dedicate their time, and volunteer their energy to create a youth group.

The members of this group have board meetings to discuss the needs of the group, and the group's mission and vision.

Each meeting begins with introductions of visitors, and ends with a prayer circle, giving thanks for the meeting.

The group was told that we were coming to visit so they spent some time tidying up the space. The space is a nursery school by day and a community center by night, and all the meetings are lit by one single light bulb that dims occasionally. The pictures are very dark, again because of the lack of artificial light. Outside of the school house, there is a tremendous field where the neighborhood children and stray dogs hang out and patronize a teeny tiny store front, also lit with a single light bulb. There is a tree in the field, and this is where this project all began...under a tree.

Saturday (8/14) was Talent Night and members were asked to share their talents. Young and old, male and female got up and sang, danced, and recited poetry. A little girl named Rambo danced her heart out to every song.

We sat in a room with about 30 young people. The babies were in the very front, carefully looked after by the older members of the group.

After the Talent Show, it was announced that there was a trip to Mo Bay at the end of the month. The babies went home and the older group members debated on whether or not they would hold a Burgher King/Queen competition to improve the reputation of the community. They debated on whether or not they would use this event to raise money. The item was tabled to be discussed at their next board meeting.

So...what were we thinking after we left?

These kids are AWESOME!

1. They have an executive model which is excellent practice for the 'real world'
2. They are super organized and articulate
3. They have entrepreneurial potential. They wanted to fundraise, and Everton emphasized the importance of setting up small businesses as a way to 1. employ people 2. set up capital for themselves and for the group
4. They emphasize education, and they are an academically mixed group that will influence each other
5. They operate in a mixed age group setting. These groups that we are seeing are really on to something with the kids of different ages together
6. They are all taking part in the raising of each other. They are each others' role models, and parent/adult figures. They see that there is a lack of leadership in the adults in their community and they are stepping up to fill this void.

We plan to make one more visit to the Burgher Youth Progressive Center. We have much to learn from these powerful youth!

facebook_burgherprogressiveyouthclub

This group is also featured in the Jamaica Gleaner. Check it out! Very impressive.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100517/business/business1.html