On July 2, approximately 25 members of the Brickdam Youth Group, under the supervision of the Youth committee, boarded a bus and headed for the “ancient county” better known as Berbice to engage in an authentic and meaningful experience of social awareness and social service.

The well-planned journey, which was organised by Vonetta Atwell of the Youth committee, included visits to the New Amsterdam Prison, Sisters of Charity, The Good Samaritan home and the Canje Bridge. An unexpected but welcomed visit was also made to the National Psychiatric Hospital.

On our arrival in Berbice, our first stop was at the Church of the Ascension where we were received by Fr Jimmy Peters and observed a march by members of the community in preparation for their sports/fun day.

We then got back on the bus and headed for our first programmed visit to the New Amsterdam Prison. Quite some time was spent here at this institution, mainly because it housed both male and female, and the group was afforded the opportunity to interact with both.

The youths were quite pleased to discover that although the prisoners had committed various crimes they were still afforded skills training and educational opportunities, so if or when released they would be capable of making it in today’s world.

It was revealed that the women practised cosmetology and cooking among many other things, while the men are still perfecting their cooking and tailoring skills.

Our next stop was at the Sisters of Charity where we were enlightened on the everyday procedures and activities by Sr Adelica and surprisingly entertained with a song by one of the grandfathers being cared for, Steven Drakes. This home houses only grandfathers who are unable to care for themselves and have no family.

In Georgetown there is a Sisters of Charity home for grandmothers. We then proceeded to The Good Samaritan where head matron, Jackie Griffith, greeted the travelling bunch.

It was noted that The Good Samaritan home has been in existence since the 1960s, giving shelter mainly to those who are capable of taking care of themselves.

The final two stops included a drive over the Canje Bridge and the National Psychiatric hospital.

Hampers and small gifts were presented by various members to the Sisters of Charity and The Good Samaritan home. The group also took the decision to share snacks with the patients in a section of the National Psychiatric Hospital under the supervision of the nurse.

Many described the trip as an enlightening and inspiring experience, away from their customary environment. Many lessons were learnt. Although we left Georgetown in showers of rain, the weather in Berbice was beautiful.

Several of us appreciated the actual experience of standing in the Berbice prison up close and personal with prisoners and realising that they were ordinary people who just made wrong decisions.

To sum it up the trip was a memorable experience and we would do it all over again.

The Brickdam Cathedral youth Group meets every Sunday at 5.00 p.m. in the Catholic Life Centre.

The Youth Committee comprises a team of adults with overarching responsibility for coordinating and fostering youth ministry at the Cathedral.
(Edited from Catholic Standard)