There was an air of both pride and promise at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, as 35 participants stood tall to receive their certificates at the graduation and closing ceremony of the Social Up-Skilling Programme. What might have looked like an ordinary ceremony on the surface was, in truth, a celebration of transformation, resilience, and hope — the kind that ripples far beyond the classroom walls.
The event, chaired by Mr. John Michael Douglas, Programme Officer for Youth, Crime and Violence Prevention, and Ms. Janelle Anthony, Senior Programme Officer for Youth Development, drew an impressive audience. In attendance were families, supporters, and members of government, including the Honourable Minister of Social Development and Education, Shellya Rogers-Webster; Honourable Deputy Governor, Perin Bradley; Her Excellency the Governor, Julia Crouch; Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake; and Police Commissioner, Robert Clark. Their presence spoke volumes about the island’s collective investment in its youth — not merely as trainees, but as citizens reclaiming their potential.
The Social Up-Skilling Programme, a bold initiative under the Ministry of Social Development and Education’s Community Services Planning Unit, is not just about learning trades. It’s a social intervention at its core, a bridge between technical training and personal empowerment. Participants this year explored three main areas — plumbing, basic electricity, and cosmetology — all nested within a broader framework of mentorship, life skills, literacy, numeracy, and emotional intelligence.
As Ms. Anthony succinctly put it, “Today, we come together, not just to hand out certificates, but to celebrate transformation… What really makes this special is that it’s a social change programme at its core.”
Mr. Douglas noted in his welcome remarks, “The skills in basic electricity, cosmetology, and plumbing are important, but they are really just the entry point,” he said. “What matters most is the renewed purpose and self-belief that comes from being a part of something bigger.” He went on to commend the tutors and community partners who made the programme’s success possible, and he praised the graduates’ “consistency, discipline, and determination — qualities that truly define this programme.”
Those qualities were palpable in the voices of the participants themselves. Jhreresha Carty from the cosmetology cohort, spoke fondly of her teacher’s patience and care. For many, like Stevenson Rogers, the programme was a second chance to grow and apply practical knowledge: “At first I did not have a clue about electrical work, but now with the knowledge I’ve acquired, I actually did pretty well,” he said, thanking the Youth and Culture Programme for its continued impact on his journey.
Even the humorous and heartfelt remarks from the plumbing class, delivered by self-proclaimed valedictorian Raphia Campbell-Carey, carried a message of empowerment. “We’ve gone from ‘what’s a flange?’ to ‘pass me the Teflon, I’ve got this,’” she quipped, to the delight of the audience. “We graduate not just as plumbers, but as community builders and leak tamers… plumbing is more than pipes, it’s about people.”
The tone of the evening was one of warmth, reflection, and renewal. Governor, Julia Crouch, recalled the early conversations that birthed the programme and praised the participants’ courage. “You’ve gone out on a limb. You’ve taken a risk. You’ve changed perhaps what people think about you,” she said. “We need you — plumbers, electricians, cosmetologists — you are the future of Anguilla.”
Minister Rogers-Webster echoed those sentiments with heartfelt sincerity, lauding the leadership of Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley and the Community Services Planning Unit. “This programme is a testament to how much we care about every member of our society,” she declared. “It doesn’t matter what your past is, it doesn’t matter what your challenges may be — you matter. You deserve to be invested in.” She urged graduates to continue building on their newfound foundation: “Now the ball is in your court… You have to decide if you’re going to continue to invest in yourself.”
These words were encapsulated by a soulful performance by mentor Janique Need-Javois, whose song about rising again — “a thousand times despite challenges” — seemed to capture the collective sentiment of every graduate, tutor, and parent in the room.
A video message from Mr. Layne Robinson of the Commonwealth Secretariat added an international note of support, recognising the programme’s early funding through the Commonwealth’s Year of Youth initiative. “Through this programme, you have demonstrated that every young person has great potential,” he said.
The highlight of the ceremony came when each of the 35 participants was called forward to receive their certificates. As the audience applauded, it was clear that these certificates represented far more than vocational training — they were symbols of perseverance, healing, and possibility. Special awards, including those for leadership, outstanding transformation and team spirit, were also presented, recognising individuals who had gone above and beyond.
Tutors were also honoured for their patience and dedication. Ms. Lilian Reyes, Mrs. Leonise Prosper, and Mr. Derek Gumbs each received certificates of recognition.
Ms. Reyes, in her remarks, expressed her pride in her students and encouraged them by reminding them of their potential to go even further beyond the programme. Mrs. Prosper quoted Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Her words echoed the spirit of the evening — that empowerment begins with empathy.
Parents, too, had their moment of pride. “I am proud of my son who feels he could wire a whole house right now,” said Julienne Otto with a laugh, while another parent, Floyd Brooks, encouraged the graduates to “strive for ambitious goals” and remember that “through dedication and perseverance, you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
In the end, this was not merely a graduation. It was a statement — that Anguilla believes in second chances, that investment in people yields community transformation, and that every young person, given the right tools and a measure of faith, can rebuild and redefine their future.
By Janissa Fleming
