It may be hard to imagine, but through my discussions yesterday with Jackie, Housing Development Director, and James, Law Enforcement Coordinator, I learned that here on St. Thomas gangs are rapidly growing. They are growing four times faster here than in the U.S. and elementary school students are now showing signs of gang related activity due to their older sibling's influence.Although there are numerous challenges in preventing this kind of culture, there are fortunately programs that are working towards shaping and steering the youth into positive life long community members. It is through the hard work of Jackie, James, staff, and volunteers, including the Rotary Clubs on the island who donate time and resources to the sites, that their intervention and after school programs, two of the most successful programs, are likely saving the lives of approximately 100 children under the age of 15 and they are working diligently to get more involved.
In the above the pictures, the shoes hanging from the telephone line indicates the number of victims an individual has killed, a picture of Greg (the great host!), Jackie (Director), Scott, and Jackie (Staff), a picture of books and chairs donated by Rotary, and a fun picture with the children.
