There are those who say the youth of today need direction and there are others who show youth the way.

Mark Trott and Joanna Heslop are examples of adults taking youth by the hand and showing them a better way.

Both are members of the Big Brothers and Sisters of Bermuda and are the organisation's Big Brother and Sister of the year.

Mr. Trott's little brother, Mikhail, whose surname cannot be given out, said: "I wanted him to be Big Brother of the year because he is nice to me."

Lisa, Ms Heslop's little sister, said she wrote the letter because she thought her Big Sister deserved to win.

Mr. Trott and his little brother Mikhail have been brothers for over a year now and are thoroughly enjoying their time together.

Mr. Trott, who is employed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, said: "It's really been rewarding, I'm getting older now and this keeps me on my `p's and q's'.

"We've been to the aquarium, Gibb's Hill Lighthouse, I've taken him to family functions, and to a couple of football games," said Mr. Trott, who is also coach of the Bermuda National Soccer Team.

To celebrate Good Friday, Mr. Trott did something very special for his little brother Mikhail by making him a kite, something he said he had not done for a "very" long time. Mr. Trott said he joined the organisation because he noticed he had spare time: "I saw an ad in the newspaper and I decided to find out what it was about, once I found out what it was about, I decided to give it a try."

Mikhail's mother, who also supported Mr. Trott, said: "I appreciate everything he does for Mikhail and I recommend anyone else to put their child in the programme."

Ms Heslop is having double the fun because she is also Lisa's sisters Big Sister and is enjoying time with both of them.

She said: "I have been a big sister for six years now and I have been with Lisa for five years. I started with her sister and just spending time with them is a pleasure."

She said she always wanted to be a Big Sister ever since she saw the first advertisements while living away.

After moving to Bermuda, she signed up for the programme one day at a booth, but was never contacted. So she signed up a second time and was successful.

She also said that because of her love for children, she has resolved to be a good influence on them. "They need to learn while they are still young how to be responsible adults for the community," she said.

However, not everything is a lesson for Lisa, she told Young Observer that Ms Heslop takes her horseback riding, swimming, out to dinner, to play games, and bakes with her.

But Lisa said she had most fun when they go swimming.

Tegan Smith, executive director of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters said that there was a great need for more Big Brothers, "because there are 40 boys waiting to be matched with a Big Brother". Ms Heslop and Mr. Trott encourage everyone who can be a part of the organisation to join because they are in need of Big Brothers and Sisters.

Ms Heslop said: "It is something people can work into their lifestyle, they really don't have to have extra time." She said that whatever their hobby may be, they can incorporate the child into the time spent with that hobby.

"If we spend more time with the youth, maybe they will grow up a little nicer," she said.

Mr. Trott said: "I would encourage any male or female who has time to be a part of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, it is a worthwhile organisation."