The Eleos Centre-A Family Support Ministry, an outreach Ministry of the Methodist Church held its sixth annual Preteen Girls workshop at The Eleos Centre- The Old Manse, Sandy Ground from August 21st – August 25th 2023, under the theme “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139 v 14. The workshop was free to girls 10 to 12 years old from across the island. Nine participants attended.
The workshop was co-ordinated by Mrs. Civilla Kentish, Programme Manager at the Eleos Centre and assisted by Mrs. Hyacinth T. Hughes, Mr. Kenn Banks – chairperson and member of the Eleos Centre Board respectively, Mrs. Janice Hodge and Mrs. Ernie Hodge Carty members of the Anguilla Lions Club.
Topics included Who am I? Who God created me to be, Character Building, Building Healthy Relationships with family and friends. Personal Health Care, Healthy Eating and preparing healthy snacks, Feelings and Emotions, Financial Management, Etiquette including table setting for lunch/dinner and a Creative Art session making of bracelets using beads.
The Facilitators were Mrs. Civilla Kentish, Miss Arlette Richardson, Miss Monique Rey, Miss Robertha Campbell, Mrs. April Richardson, Mrs. Kiesha Brooks, Miss Denecia Niles of Tea Box Lounge and Mrs. Louise Brooks.
Participants kept a daily journal of each day’s activities. For the evaluation exercise each participant shared with the group one or two entries from their journal and their personal feelings/ benefit of the week’s activities. All comments were positive. It was also highlighted that they would recommend the workshop to their peers. However, they were disappointed that they could only attend the workshop once. The programme seeks to reach as many girls as possible hence the once only attendance. However, there is a follow up session three to six months later.
Refreshments were provided by various Methodist Congregations and individual members. Bags and pens were donated by Liberty Credit Union. All participants were presented with a novel by Brigit Young sponsored by the Anguilla Lions Club. Three different titles were distributed and participants were encouraged to swap books with each other.
The Eleos Centre Board members would like to express our sincere thanks to all those persons including the parents/guardians who assisted in making the workshop such a huge success and look forward to your assistance in August 2024.
Anyone wishing to know more about the Preteen Girls Programme or the work of the Eleos Centre may contact us on 497-3090 or email:EleosFamily centre@gmail.com