‘With your help, we will not abandon our ship’
Sloop Foundation in $3m plea: Donate ‘for the sake of our youth’By Owain Johnston-BarnesThe Bermuda Sloop Foundation is hoping to raise $3 million to help continue its valuable youth programmes.The charity has run a character development programme on-board the Spirit of Bermuda for the past seven years, that’s served as a unique learning opportunity for more than 3,500 young people.The Foundation yesterday launched Save the Spirit, a campaign it hopes will keep the programme afloat.Foundation CEO Denise Riviere said the youth programme costs around $1.8 million per year to run, and the economic downturn has put the operation at risk.“Over the past six years, we have relied very heavily on our partnerships with corporations, foundations, government and individual donors, as well as our ability to obtain credit through loan facilities,” she said.“Our reality today is that as substantial multiyear pledges come to an end, our donations have reduced significantly, causing an unavoidable shortfall over the years.“We are also waiting to learn what Government is able to provide this year and going forward.”She said the organisation has worked to streamline operations to lower the budget, and in 2011 redesigned its programme to include a land survival experience on Paget Island rather than a full five-day programme aboard Spirit.The $3 million target would enable the charity to resurrect a five-day programme it once offered on board Spirit, and develop its offerings into a “rite of passage” for public school students.Meanwhile, summer voyages to Haiti and the Canadian Maritimes have been postponed so Spirit can remain here for fundraising essential to the middle school programme, Ms Riviere said.“Our goal is to commit to long-term sustainable efforts that support youth development through Spirit of Bermuda for many years to come,” she said.She continued: “Our character development programme is too important to lose, especially since our youth are most at risk at the age of 13. It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to save the treasure we so fondly know as Spirit of Bermuda.”Organisation for two Spirit fundraisers has already begun. The charity is looking for donations and volunteer hostages to participate in The Pirates of Bermuda those who take part have until April 6 to raise their ransom or walk the plank.A fundraising effort with the Masterworks Foundation of Bermuda Art has also been planned.Reproductions of five iconic paintings depicting Bermuda’s sailing tradition will be auctioned off as part of that event.Foundation co-founder Alan Burland said: “We recognise and understand the difficulties that Government, the private sector and individuals are facing as we all try to make ends meet.“We are hoping for the sake of our youth that our combined efforts as a community can help save Spirit’s valuable character development programmes.”He asked the Government, corporations, foundations and individual donors to come forward to help the programme weather the storm.“Our youth need as many positive opportunities as possible to help make them productive members of our community and to steer them away from traps like hopelessness, gang activity and negative peer pressure,” he said. “With your help, we will not abandon our ship.”The organisation is asking the public to contribute cash, donate goods and/or services or charter the Spirit of Bermuda for corporate or personal events.Donations can be made directly to the Bermuda Sloop Foundation office on 12 Wesley Street, or through an online payment to HSBC account 006-049639-001.For more information visit www.savespiritofbermuda.com or call 737-5667.n In a story published in Wednesday’s The Royal Gazette, we erroneously wrote that the Spirit had taken teenagers on “experimental voyages”.The voyages should have been described as “experiential”. We apologise for the error, and for any confusion that it may have caused.
Students, parents and volunteers involved with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation yesterday made a public appeal to have its youth programme saved.
Sloop administrator Masante Maryam said she had personally witnessed a change in the young people who had been through the programme.
“We have had teachers come to us and warn us about students before, saying we should be careful. The next week we speak to that same teacher and they are better behaved than they have ever seen them.
“I have had students say they thought they were going to have a horrible time and later they are depressed that they have to get off the ship.”
The programmes were run using the
Spirit of Bermuda, a purpose-built sail-training vessel based on civilian schooners built in Bermuda by Bermudians between 1810 and 1840.More than 3,500 students have participated in the programme since it was launched in 2006.According to Ms Maryam, many people will likely hear of its annual $1.8 million operating cost and think the number is so great they can’t help.The truth of the matter is every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference, she said.Lisa Reed’s son Jacob loved a five-day science programme he went on with the
Spirit of Bermuda.“He came back with a renewed appreciation for Bermuda and for our natural life, a new commitment and respect for himself,” she said. “It was a great experience.”Several students echoed that comment yesterday. They said their time on the Spirit taught them a lot about teamwork.Viaire Robinson said: “It was all about teamwork. It felt nice to talk to people who you don’t usually talk to. At some point, we all needed each other.”Felicity Hayward said she had a great time, and learned more about her friends.Jahkyah Belboda said she enjoyed sitting in the
Spirit’s cockpit, getting to know her fellow students.Da-shontae Walker said: “This experience helped me with my cooking. I learned how to work with others. I didn’t usually do that. I also learned to snorkel better.”
