Yesterday, YOU’s Executive Director Mrs. Scott and I met with Education Minister the Rev. Ronald Thwaites. The purpose of our encounter was to discuss possible partnerships with the Education Ministry. YOU has capacity not just to mentor youth and provide training programs, but to address teachers and the challenges they face in their jobs.

The Minister was refreshingly honest. Yes, it is possible for a politician to step away from the message track inculcated into them by the administration. Minister Thwaites not only illuminated the reality of the situation in the Ministry of Education (funding is all committed at this point), but he suggested alternative partnerships and means by which YOU can work with the Ministry. He also promised to appear at an event we are holding at the end of March. Then he posed for pictures.

It is so easy to allow cynicism to colour our view of politicians. They certainly give us enough reason to do so, however, the majority of them start out with good intentions and a desire to help. At least we hope so. Thank you Minister Thwaites.