Minister with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, on Friday visited the Sunnatul Jamaat Masjid in Alexander Village, where she interacted with youth and engaged them on matters of employment and entrepreneurship.
The Department of Public Information reported that the minister, during her visit, made it clear that her presence there was not ornamental, but in keeping with her mandate to advance youth development. Furthermore, the release said that Broomes is committed to providing opportunities for youth to venture into entrepreneurship, noting that education and skills training are high on the government’s agenda.
It was reported that Imam Khalid Ford, in his remarks to welcome the minister, commended the government for taking the initiative to reach out to the youth at the masjid, who it was noted hail from vulnerable communities.
“Most of us, we are from depressed communities and persons tend to look at persons coming from these communities and attaching a stigma to them and with the help of the Minister we will be able to remove the negative stigma and labels that we face,” he said.
Addressing those gathered, Broomes stated, “You here are demonstrating a strength that a lot of people can’t do and you can do anything regardless of your situations. We as a Government recognise that young people have suffered a lot and we cannot do it alone and with my new portfolio, I am going to go to all Ten Administrative Regions… the Government is committed to you the youth… I’m not here to talk the talk, I’m here to walk the walk.”
During the event, the minister addressed concerns raised by attendees regarding employment and financial opportunities for entrepreneurs, and keeping to her promise to “walk the walk”, when participant Lavern Hendricks, a qualified teacher by profession, shared her own plight with the minister, Broomes telephoned Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, to request that she intervene in the matter.
The minister also pledged to follow up Hendricks’ case, as well as other queries raised by other participants, which were related to other subject ministries.
