TODAY, January 31, makes it ten years since the ‘Mercy Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre’ has been in operation, and as has become a tradition with such milestones, the Board and Administration have planned a week of celebratory activities to mark the occasion.

A typical day in the life of students enrolled in the ‘Mercy Wings’ programme

Those activities include the holding of a Thanksgiving Mass; the start of a trainee Alumni Association; publication of the Centre’s fourth Annual Report; a reception; the launch of a ‘Sponsor a Trainee’ project; and the official opening of the new library in the Sophia neighbourhood.

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy back in 2000, Mercy Wings has as its mission to facilitate the transformation of youths who are labelled as ‘failures’ into a new kind of youth who have a positive self-image, have integrated sound moral values and a healthy spirituality, and are socially conscious.

Empowerment through human development and skills training enables them to be self-sufficient, motivated to take charge of their lives, and become agents of social and attitudinal change.

Mercy Wings has graduated approximately 300 trainees, most of whom have secured jobs, and a number of whom have gone on to more advanced education. By educating and training at-risk youth, many of whom include school drop-outs, the Centre is contributing to the future of Guyana by taking teenagers off the streets and giving them the life-skills they need to be productive, self-sufficient adults who can make a meaningful contribution to their respective communities, and by extension, the wider society.

It is a well-established fact that education is a means of empowerment and liberation. Training in marketable skills will give young people enrolled in the programme a sense of self-worth, hope for a better future, and the ability to find employment. The social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual development of the student is an integral aspect of the Mercy Wings programme.

The programme is one year in duration, and classes run from 08:00h to 15:30h, and is designed to register 100 trainees, of all ethnic groups, in each school year, primarily from the Sophia area, where the Centre is located.

Classes are usually offered in English, Mathematics, Basic Computer Skills and Adolescent Development, but the entire curriculum is currently under revision so as to make it more competency-based. One-to-one or small-group tutoring in basic literacy is provided as needed. Instruction is available in three skills areas, namely ‘Catering and Home Management’; ‘Child Care and Care of the Elderly’; and General Construction (Carpentry, Joinery, Masonry, and Plumbing).

Adolescent Development, which is a major component of the programme, is seen as helping teenagers learn who they are, by developing a positive self-image; exploring the nature of family and their relationship with their parents and siblings; learning anger management and conflict resolution; and gaining practical knowledge about such things as drugs, alcohol, AIDS, smoking, gambling and violent behaviour.

Special classes, such as drumming, dance, and dramatics, are provided when possible, while in addition to academic and skills classes, trainees have an opportunity, in weekly craft sessions, to explore their creative side, through field trips, to gain a broader lens through which to view the world.

Field trips always include a visit to the prison, where trainees have an opportunity to hear from the staff and several of the prisoners in order to encourage them to make wise choices in their own lives.

Physical education is provided, and sports events and competition with other local programmes are scheduled. Another major aspect of the programme is the provision of a daily nutritious, hot lunch for trainees. Breakfast is provided on an ‘as-needed’ basis, while a childcare facility is also available for the community and the trainees.

Mercy Wings works in collaboration with other organisations in the area doing basic skills education and with the Ministry of Education. It taps into local expertise for guest lecturers in the areas of healthy lifestyles, AIDS prevention, dangers of alcohol and drugs, effective parenting, etc.

The Board and Administration hold the view that a strong sense of ownership on the part of the community is essential to the Mercy Wings programme. A high level of collaboration and cooperation is key to its success.

Sustainability is one of the main concerns of Mercy Wings. The Board considers this its major challenge. It has a lofty vision, but has learned to live within its means, postponing some projects until the financial resources are available.