Close off Culture Awareness
Philipsburg Jubilee Library and the Ark Foundation are proud and satisfied with the turnout and performing of the poets.
On Thursday June 12, 2008. approximately 19 participants successfully completed a seven-week poetry workshop in the Ark Outreach center. This workshop was part of the Cultural awareness program the Ark organizes in collaboration with the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.
This program was funded by the SNAYDP under the theme â??Know your history, create your future".
Indeed these youngsters showed with their poetry that there is a need for culture awarenesss .
The participants attend Milton Peters College, St. Dominique High and the St. Maarten Academy. During the workshops the participants wrote 6 poems each about the following topics: culture, safe sex, sadness, issues young people are facing and happiness. They also had to criticize each otherâ??s poems.
On last Saturday morning June 14, 2008 10 participants gathered at the square in Front Street. At about 10.30 in the company of their instructor Mr. Romayne Benjamin, a teacher at MPC, they headed up the boardwalk, down Front Street and up Back Street where participants approached pedestrians and entered many places of businesses asking for a few minutes to recite their poems.
This was well received by the businesses. They had only words of encouragement for the youngsters .
The youngsters didnâ??t stop there they then headed to radio Sualiga and were given the opportunity to recite their poems live on air by Mr. Rolando Tobias.
Their final stop was the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, where it all began 8 weeks ago.
At the Library they were welcomed by the Assistant director, Mrs. Monique Alberts and the president of the Ark Foundation, Ms Edna Rijkaard.
All the 10 participants were able to show their ability, skills and competence in not only putting together sensible thoughts on paper, but also recite them in such a manner that the audience can enjoy it.
Participants who successfully completed the workshop will receive a certificate.
The Ark Foundation and the Philipsburg Jubilee Library are in the process to look for funds to continue these programs to equip youngsters with the necessary skills to succeed in this changing and challenging world.