GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday, July 20th, 2009 – TCI’s Caricom Youth Ambassador Natalia Butterfield took part in the Caribbean Youth Exchange in Port-au-Prince, Haiti - 9th to 13, July. Under the theme “Youth – Making the Caribbean,” it was evident that the exchange brought together young persons from Member and Associate Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for which the Turks and Caicos Islands is an Associate Member.
Natalia Butterfield, TCI Caricom Youth Ambassador - third from left, second row
The objectives of the Caribbean Youth Exchange was to promote Caribbean culture and identity; heighten awareness of issues pertaining to regional integration and the CSME (Caribbean Single Market Economy) and to sensitize participant to the research findings of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development (CCYD).
The Exchange was funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID, Spain) with support from Haiti’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action (MJSAC) and the CARICOM Regional Office in Haiti (CROH).
The programme was a blend of interactive sessions, community interactions, site visits, cultural exchanges and discussion forums. Participants had the opportunity to share information about their country, learn about other countries in the region, build networks, showcase skills and talents and learn more about Haiti. Ms. Butterfield’s presentation: “My Country, My Backyard” - gave participants an insight into TCI’s Beautiful By Nature environment, culture and heritage.
Ambassadors were enthused by the presentation by the Caricom Secretariat, who informed them about CARICOM then, now and what it will be like in the future. They were encouraged to invest their future in the CSME, and come together as young persons to bring their visions together to achieve a 21st Century that they will be proud to live in.
There was also a culture night, where in which each participant was required to perform a cultural item, whether a dance, song, poetry, rap, dramatic piece, folklore or simply ole talk. “I wore my natural dress and held my flag high and I recited the poem “Me and Garland” and sang “I Dig There,” said Natalia. “Before the end of my presentation, I had everyone dancing and singing with me, I was proud to be a Turks Islander; and I Dig There, became the most popular song to sing; from that night on, whenever participants saw me - they sang the song.”
Asked to reflect on her time in Haiti, TCI’s Caricom Youth Ambassador said: “What I would like for the Turks and Caicos young people to know is that Haiti is a country filled with rich history, culture and talent. Their museums are filled with history just like ours. They take great pride in there country. They are great dancers, singers, actors, and the food taste wonderful.”
“They study and work hard to become doctors and teachers just like we do. They are no different from us; but, what surprised me about them - some of the Haitian children speak English very well, which gives them an advantage over us because they have a second language. I would like to encourage the young people of these Islands to let us learn a second language because it will benefit us later on in the future. Haiti is truly a beautiful place.”
Before the close of the Caribbean Youth Exchange, a community outreach and tree planting exercise was done to symbolize unity in the Caribbean. “Someday I would like to visit Haiti again and view the tree I planted and eat the fruits that blossom,” said Ms. Butterfield. What is more: “Young people should take a lead role in their country and bring other Caribbean youth together as one and this Exchange is one exercise in seeing to it.” Nevertheless, she went on to implore TCI’s youths to continue listening to Teen Jam each and every Saturday on Radio Turks and Caicos, which she and fellow Caricom Youth Ambassadors Jamell Robinson hosts.
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