GoodStart

Mentorship Programme at St Benedits R.C. Primary School

2004-2009
and even to the UWI Campus, etc. The exposure to different environments is of great importance in building relationships based on respect, trust and honesty. After clarifying the mentorship programmes philosophy and the definition of its project plan, we all agreed that the fundamental task of mentors was to be positive role models for the children; enabling them to develop human virtues as a consequence of their friendship. Therefore, GoodStart however, had to create an adequate training programme for its mentors. In order for the success of this venture we needed to identify the necessary resources, for example, prospective mentors and trainers, a primary school in an underprivileged area and most of all prospective mentees. After which we proceeded to select material based on the curriculum which the children were required to follow, and then to structure the time of the mentoring sessions, as well as the evaluation of the whole process, among others. As mentioned above, a mentor should be a role model for his mentee so that in doing so the child would learn from his mentor, developing an enhanced construct of how one should develop. Children learn from the way mentors commit themselves in supporting them, and as a result mentor and mentee walk together through challenges and difficulties experienced. Thus, the need to equip mentors with adequate training is essential. Most of the people involved in the designing of the training programme agreed that it is crucial that such a training programme be founded on human virtues in order to assist mentors to get to know themselves, internalise these virtues and then transmit them to their mentees. In so doing, mentors assist children in their character development. It

GoodStarts goal is to get our mentees to aspire to a higher education, to better their lives and to become exemplary members of their communities.
n 2002, a group of individuals comprising young professional men and university students met to discuss the creation of a mentorship programme geared towards underprivileged children. After much deliberation it was agreed to name the initiative the GoodStart Mentorship Programme. In March 2004, the blue print for this project was finalised, but much still needed to be done for the realisation of the initiative. However it was only in mid 2004 that the group decided to actualise the initiative which was then aimed at primary school children ranging from ages 7 to 14 years coming from underprivileged areas in Trinidad and Tobago. Our aim was to make

a meaningful contribution to the needy children especially those most in need of direction and support. The main operational dynamic of the programme is to engage university students in mentoring children on a one-on-one basis. The mentoring process focuses mainly on academics with special interest in the subject areas of Language Arts, and Mathematics, as well as allowing participation in team sports such as cricket and football. All activities are seen as vital to the transmission of high ideals and values to the children. In addition to these core activities the mentors and their protgs engage in other activities which build rapport and assist in developing the relationship between the pair. These activities include outings to museums, to movie premieres,

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is also a journey where they get to know themselves as well. The training programme also includes directives to support mentors in dealing with their mentees, and also in managing their time with responsibility. After having identified a primary school which would meet these criteria that we set, we decided to start on July 8th 2004. We met with the principal of St Benedicts R.C. Primary School, Mrs. Joan Fulchan, who selected 8 mentees who were the first participants in the programme. On September 15th 2004, mentors and parents met at the school. It was not an easy task as only three mentors committed to attend every Thursday afternoon session. In October 2005 a group of UWI students joined the programme among them were: Christopher Castagne (Eng.), Sanjiv Samaroo (Eng.), Daley Sirjuensingh (Eng.), Josh Drayton (Soc Sci), Joel Castagne (Eng.), Sheldon Bowman (Eng.), and Corey Jackman (Eng.). A few months later, Christopher Lum Kin (Nat Sci), Kevin Singh (Nat Sci), and Jameon Thomas (Eng.) joined the programme. Over the years more UWI students have taken part in the programme: Anning Hoo (Eng.), Vickash Ramoutar (Eng.), Andrei Edoo (Soc Sci), Stephan Samuell (Nat Sci), Nick Ali (Soc Sci), Leon Henry (Soc Sci), Chike Wilson (Soc Sci), Naresh Parahoo (Nat Sci), Ravi Rajah (Law Sch), and Hector Williams (Nat Sci). Every academic year GoodStart engages with a new contingent of enthusiastic mentors and mentees eager to make a difference in pursuit of its stated goals.

From the very inception we were privileged to welcome UWI students as mentors and some UWI lecturers are programme trainers.
From the inception we were privileged to welcome some UWI lecturers as programme trainers: Mr. Clyde Abder (Eng.), Mr. Surendra Arjoon (Soc Sci); others as the principal of St Benedicts Mrs. Joan Fulchan and Mr. Norman Tang from Bryden; and other older mentors: Josh Dayton (Soc Sci), Gerard Pounder (Eng.), Peter Seignoret (Med Sci) and Romulo Guedez (Hum & Edu), responsible for passing on their mentoring experience to the new mentors. Many mentors visit mentees homes, meet with their parents and relatives in order to better learn and assist them with their needs. For instance, in 2007 many mentors participating in the You Can Help project, a North Halls social initiative, volunteered their abilities in the building of one of the mentees home in St. Michael Village. During the Christmas period of 2007 and 2008, many mentors contributed to the purchase of toys and to the distribution of food hampers to the mentees and their relatives. Every Saturday afternoon, from January 2009 to March 2009, another group of mentors prepared Standard 5 students for the SEA exam after which, they spent some time playing a game of cricket or football together. We can proudly say that these mentors succeeded in assisting the children and thus the mentees had great results in their SEA examinations. We have learned a great deal over these years and we have realised that the mentors commitment, the parents and teachers support are key to the childrens development and success. Children are always willing to achieve academic and human development once they have support. Mentors have to find ways to convey difficult topics to children as Josh Drayton commented in one of the training sessions: I use a simple sheet with the letters of the alphabet to do a two-fold exercise: checking to see whether the mentee recognises the letters and if he knows their sounds. That usually helps us in being able to identify where the fault is. If there is a fault then we need to start there. I usually get them to blow out a sound and say the letter. For example: o by shaping their mouth to the sound, it helps them to recognise the link better how you put your mouth to the sound of the words. And yes, its also fun for them since they would be actively engaged in making noise. Today, five years after the launch of the GoodStart Mentorship Programme, we still continue to accept the accompanying challenges. We feel proud of the number of UWI students who have participated and particularly the St Benedicts children who have benefited from the programme. We have witnessed the birth of another mentorship programme as well. For the academic year 2009-2010 we look forward to meeting more university students committed to volunteering their time and skills to support these mentorship programmes. We have gained more expertise through the years and compiled educational material to assist our task. However, Trinidad and Tobago is still in dire need of much social work. Young people according to St. Josemara Escriv, have always had a great capacity for enthusiasm, for big things, for high ideals, for everything that is genuine. GoodStarts goal is to get our mentees to aspire to a higher education, to better their lives and to become exemplary members of their communities.

For more information about the GoodStart Mentorship Programme, please contact North Hall at northhall@gmail.com or call (868) 645-9755, or visit the centre located at 7 Deane St, St Augustine. Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.