Youth foundations reading about St. Martin personalities and culture
The K1 Britannia Foundation and Player Development SXM recently received a gift of books and booklets about St. Martin’s music and sports personalities, history, and culture for their youth activities.
Chiaira Bowers of K1 Britannia (L) and author Felecita Williams with books and booklets presented by HNP for K1’s youth literacy and motivation activities. (CB Photo)
“The K1 Britannia Foundation is grateful for these local books donated by House of Nehesi Publishers,” said Chiaira Bowers of K1 Britannia.
“We look forward to using these books as tools for literacy learning when volunteers are tutoring the kids and as tools for motivation to show them that they too can do great things as St. Maarteners,” said Bowers.
The Player Development youngsters are already reading their junior scholastic booklets, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
In a letter written on September 6 at the group’s little league club house, member Railey wrote to Sample: “Thank you for all the books, because they are written by local people it shows us we can do anything.”
Sports reporter and Player Development representative Tom Burnett also thanked Sample for the “donation of books to Player Development SXM. It took a few days to get a thank you letter done as the children had to start reading to know what they were thanking you for. It is great that they now have some books written by real local role models.” Burnett has been a youth baseball coach here since 2003.
The presentation to K1 Britannia was made on behalf of HNP by author Felecita Williams. Her autobiography Because of Prayer was included in the book pack, said Sample. Educator Carmen Bowers made the presentation to Player Development SXM on the publisher’s behalf. Bowers is the senior volunteer of HNP’s book party committee.
“The nature of the publications relate to self-esteem building, and sports, culture, literature, and historical references of our island,” said Sample. Gassy – Champion Cyclist, Chester York – making of a pan man, Bibi – Pioneer in House Drawing and Design, Fête, and Brother Rich … Creative Writing in St. Martin were among the child-friendly titles presented to the youth foundations.
The presentation of free “pioneerseries” booklets and other titles from HNP is an ongoing promotion of reading, writing, research, and publishing, “especially with regard to our young people,” said Sample.
HNP is itself a non-profit foundation and its reading and writing promotion program started in the late 1980s, said Sample.
Illustration : Player Development SXM kids with jr. scholastic booklets and books published in St. Martin. Among the community-minded adults in back row: AUC volunteer Jay Webb (L) and educator Carmen Bowers (4th L), who presented the books on behalf of HNP. (Courtesy photo)
