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Guest blogging from St. Vincent Youth Camp – Part 2

By Jamie
August 3, 2009 at 3:47 pm

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Did you know that the British Red Cross has several overseas branches in the Caribbean? As part of the work going on there, the Red Cross is hosting a youth camp for young Red Cross workers in the Caribbean to have an opportunity to interact. The whole idea is to create international friendships, learn from eachother, and work together for the greater good.

Below, are some blog posts sent to me by one of the participants– Jiva Niles of the Anguilla Red Cross. I know this post is quite long, but I hope that it is the most user-friendly way to share his story with you:

Day 4 – 28 July, 2009:

Even the Average Man Can Lend a Helping Hand
The first-aid session held at the Regional Camp can be deemed to be very useful informative. The information conveyed was relevant for participants who hadn’t yet taken the course. It was also pertinent to participants who were certified in the course as different circumstances at an emergency were highlighted. The feedback given from Red Cross volunteers about the different First-Aid standards in their National Society also facilitated further enlightenment. Selected volunteers were given the chance to demonstrate certain techniques.

Warning! Take Heed!
As disasters are prevalent globally the camp Red Cross co-ordinators saw it fit to hold a session informing the participants on how to better prepare for them for time of disaster. Precautionary measures against disasters tips on how to respond as volunteers were given.

Cultural Explosion
Dressed in the colours of their island’s national colours and attire, the Anguillan youth presented a poem by one of their local poets, sang local songs about their country such as Oh Anguilla, presented a slide show as well as a skit comparing and contrasting the traditional way of life to the way it has deviated and danced to local songs. Behind them could be found a display table presenting different aspects of the island as well as the islands famous salt and national dish.

Day 5 – 29 July, 2009:

Sex Nice, But the AIDS ting??
This morning’s workshop on HIV/AIDS was animated as the speaker herself has the virus. This enabled a more in depth delivery and facilitated very interesting discussions. It was shocking to see the attitudes of stigma and discrimination that is still prominent in the represented National Societies about sex, HIV/AIDS and other STI despite the increasing statistics of persons that become impregnated and/or persons who become infected.

What make them want war?
The session on Youth and Violence has been deemed to be the most relevant and interesting. The participants seemed to be very engrossed in the session. The youth delivered presentations about what is violence, the types of violence, where does violence occur and the level of violence in the participants National Society. This was done through raps, poems, skits, reports and singing. The persons responsible for committing violence, the victims of violence and those who are affected were deciphered.

CO2 Cool Spot
The session dealt with the prevalent issue of climatic change which is indicated by the melting ice caps, sea levels. The change in the pattern of when crops are usually reaped was brought into focus. Measures that are used to control green house effect in St. Vincent as well on a regional and international basis were discussed.

A Lunch to Remember
Today’s lunch was very delicious as it had a variety of local dishes prepared. Local drinks were also prepared and served with the meals. With consideration for others who had to eat persons tried to restrain from going for seconds.

Day 6 – 30 July, 2009:

A Lazy Morning
As indicated by the luscious vegetation, St. Vincent is a rainy place. The rains poured from 5:00am to noon. Hence, participants were reluctant to get out of bed and get ready for the day. However, the youth leaders ensured that they eventually did in order to facilitate productivity. Breakfast was then served, followed by participants being given the chance to socialize and play games. Before the leaving for the trip to the capital there was a brief meeting in order to discuss the next day’s simulation exercise.

Exploring the Capital
The Anguilla and Montserrat Red Cross branch visited the island’s capital where participants visited the LOGO’s ship and bought books as well as were given the opportunity to enjoy the delectable ice cream that LOGO’s is renowned for. It was then off to the shops. On shopping the participants were happy to find that the priced were most affordable.

Day 7 – 30 July, 2009:

Giving Food-Aid
Red Cross volunteers walked the streets of St. Vincent asking civilians for can food and dry food items that they would then donate to the less fortunate.

CCC in the Act
The simulation exercise was very productive as volunteers entered the print factory that underwent some emergency of an explosion and assessed, and gave care to victims. The first-aid instructors monitored the first-aiders as they executed first-aid.

Evaluation of Can Food Drive
The participants of the Can Food Drive met after the simulation exercise in order to discuss ways in which a more effective Can Food Drive could be carried out in the future. These tips could be used to get more food for the less fortunate in the participant’s countries and abroad, in the event that they contribute to regional and international food and disaster crises.

Evaluation of First-Aid Care
The first-aid instructor that observed the caring process carried out gave feedback as to how the participants performed. He then spoke to each first-aid group about what improvements could be made in the future. The first-aiders were placed in mixed groups so that they might come from a National Society that abides by a different first-aid standard. Despite this, they all worked together to bring favourable results in patient care.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Tags: anguilla, caribbean, guest blog, International, overseas branches, saint vincent, youth, youth camp

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