TODAY I would like to bring attention to a programme that is doing remarkable work within our community– the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD). It is currently run by Mr. Robin Phillips, Founder and General Administrator, Mr. Lennox Shufler, Patron and Strategic Planner as well as three other volunteers. BYD is in partnership with the Rotary Club of Stabroek and the Buxton/Foulis NDC as well as Kristian Jeffrey, Caribbean motor racing champion for 2014 , 2015 and Guyana Male Sportsman of the year for 2015 is the Sports Ambassador for BYDI’ve known Lennox aka ‘Uncle Lenny’ most of my life and have heard of the programme over the years. However, sad to say, I’ve only recently seen the importance and noteworthy impact of this project. It deserves more acknowledgement and praise than it receives. So, what is Buxton Youth Developers (BYD)?
This organisation was founded in March 2007 by Mr. Robin Phillips, a dedicated Buxtonian. He was joined by Lennox Shuffler, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Stabroek and Paulette Charles, a prominent Buxtonian, as Special Advisor. Shuffler describes Robin Phillips as a person “very passionate about a role that I, myself, would have difficulty in doing.” The main objective was to create a positive change in the community of Buxton with the mission statement being “Regaining the glory of Buxton through sports, education and culture.” Their motto is “Promoting friendship, Influencing change.” Back in 2007, Phillips was a local school teacher who was seeing the effects of the crime wave within the community of Buxton. At the time, Buxton was home to the most notorious gang which stimulated crime, substance use and school dropouts in the community.
Phillips one day armed with nothing but a megaphone, took to the streets and asked all the children to come out to literacy classes for free. A few of them eventually showed up to the event.
Lennox remembers the first day he was approached by Phillips about BYD. Phillips told him the idea, especially how much he wanted to change the high illiteracy rate of the children in Buxton while providing a safe place for them to grow and learn. Lennox remembers responding with the question: “You want to be a part of history?” thinking that it was a fantastic idea, but almost impossible at the time.
They decided to go for it, but were advised to get permission from the notorious gang who was taking over Buxton. Permission was granted by the gang leaders with the following statement sent to Robin and Uncle Lenny: “ ‘Nuff’ respect, we like what you are doing. Look after the children.” They then went right ahead.
The Buxton Youth Developers with support from the Buxton/Foulis NDC and the Rotary Club of Stabroek started out successfully with 30 children in the old NDC building with classes for a few hours three days a week. The numbers quickly grew and again with the support from the NDC, they occupied the old, abandoned Buxton Market.
While it was a hit, the biggest difficulty was convincing the community members of BYD’s ability to sustain the programme.This is no longer a problem as BYD provided such a healthy consistency and positive change that it now caters for over 200 members between the ages of 5-16. While the programme was created for the people of Buxton, vulnerable children from neighbouring villages can be a part of this change.
Due to the quick expansion, the RDC granted permission to BYD to develop the Vigilance Community Centre ground for the benefit of all. With assistance from the Canada Fund for local initiatives, a “Buy a Block” fundraiser through Digicel was launched and a building was erected to house the literacy classes.This allowed for additional classes for school drop-outs from Monday to Friday 08:00hrs-15:00hrs. The classes are taught by volunteers and cover a wide range of new learning such as English (reading, writing and spelling), Mathematics and Social Studies.
There is also a community library that is accessible to these youths. Sports sessions are also taken seriously and occur every day. The members can play football, volleyball, rugby and lawn tennis to name a few. BYD is considered as a unique learning and training centre with the strong desire to turn the centre ground into a beach games facility. In addition to the regular classes, BYD schedules regular activities such as lifeskills, social activities, culture days and motivational speeches. They host annual holiday parties as well as conduct educational competitions such as Spelling Bees and writing/poetry competitions. It is important to remember that they are not a school, but a learning centre.
They do however have rules such as no alcohol/drug use, no indecent language, no bullying or violence etc. Schools in the neighbouring villages also use the field at times, which allow for further integration as well as social and communication skills.
At one point, individuals out of Buxton had little hope of a happy and successful future. The stigma alone attached to the village even prevented locals from obtaining jobs.
The Buxton Youth Developers, along with the will for change from the Buxtonians themselves, have successfully changed this view over the past 10 years. During this period, over 1,500 children passed through the programme with many being able to get back into the school system and many were able to get jobs. BYD is contacted by schools in the neighbouring communities if there are children who need extra help — which they are happy to oblige. Shuffler said that Phillips is on the ground helping the children, acting as a teacher, counsellor and at times even a guardian to the children.
BYD has received a great deal of help from both local and foreign entities such as Toucan Industries, Farfan & Mendes, the Canada Fund for local initiatives, the Government of New Zealand, UNICEF, Courts, Digicel, Ansa Mcal, the Beharry Group, Food for the Poor, Bank of Nova Scotia – just to name a few. However, more always needs to be done. Since the development and implementation of BYD, the children’s attendance and performance in school have improved, their familial and peer relationships are healthier and their community involvement on a whole has improved.
They have also been quite successful in sporting activities. Early in the programme, a female football team was formed with five of those girls selected to train for the national team. A female member from the centre was selected to represent Guyana in table tennis at the Inter-Guiana Games and in Maryland, USA on two occasions in training programmes. Recently,the BYD boys’ football team won the East Coast leg of the Digicel schools tournament. These changes alone have drastically reduced the possibility of stress, isolation, addiction, teenage pregnancy, school drop-outs and many other physical, mental and social ills. There has been a noticeable decrease in crime and substance use among the community members.
If you would like to donate or be a volunteer, please call or show up at the centre or call Robin 686-0457.
The number for the centre is 274- 0247. Lennox Shuffler 225 4607, cell 676 8611The Buxton Youth Developers is the perfect example of positive change being possible; that if the problem is within the community, it means the solution is as well.
Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also please remember when you can come see me.
Georgetown Public Hospital: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm
Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department
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Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 4:00pm
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Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
