Junior Fire Cadets performing a drill at the Arch Hall Fire Station, Arch Hall, St. Thomas.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Cynthia Forde has urged Barbadians to get more involved in volunteerism, adding that over the years, community groups such as the Anglican Young People’s Association and church brigades had contributed to the upliftment of the country.

Ms. Forde made this call at the Barbados Fire Service Training Unit’s seventh graduating class of the Junior Fire Cadet Programme, held last Friday at the Arch Hall Fire Station.  Minister Forde, who said she volunteered as a Brownies and Cub Scouts leader for over 10 years, assured that volunteerism would not only help to build the nation, but bring personal fulfillment and gratification. 
Noting that the programme trained 30 young people and she would like to see the number doubled, she said more partners of corporate Barbados needed to offer sponsorship. Minister Forde stressed that if young people continued to do meaningful work during their summer, they would become ‘worthy citizens’.

Fire Cadet, Jaleesa Gooding, who was awarded ‘Best Cadet’, remarked that fire fighting is all about team work’.  She said that she hoped more parents would encourage their children to join the programme next year.  Ms. Gooding told the audience how much she learned about deportment, discipline and punctuality, and the joy of meeting new friends. 

During the four week programme, fire cadets learned how to perform drills and participated in several classes, which included topics such as Substance Abuse, Personal Development and Fire History. 

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