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Ground breaks for YEP building @ Handsome Bay on VG

It was labelled a 'Red Letter Day' in Virgin Gorda yesterday, March 23, 2024, when ground was broken for a building to house the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
One of the donors of the Youth Empowerment Programme, Sir Richard CN Branson gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the YEP building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda on March 23, 2024. Photo: VINO
One of the donors of the Youth Empowerment Programme, Sir Richard CN Branson gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the YEP building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda on March 23, 2024. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) gives remarks. Left is Executive Director of YEP Honourable Stacy M. Mather, MBE. Also in photo is Dr Henry G. Jarecki. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) gives remarks. Left is Executive Director of YEP Honourable Stacy M. Mather, MBE. Also in photo is Dr Henry G. Jarecki. Photo: VINO
HANDSOME BAY, Virgin Gorda, VI- It was labelled a “Red Letter Day” in Virgin Gorda yesterday, March 23, 2024, when ground was broken for a building to house the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) at Handsome Bay on Virgin Gorda.

The building is expected to be completed and ready for occupation by year-end.

The project is a collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the private sector, including Unite BVI.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) were among those who described the occasion as a “Red Letter Day” in Virgin Gorda and the territory.

Premier Wheatley said YEP is truly close to his heart as it has transformed lives in the Seventh District, which he represents. He added that both of his children benefitted from YEP and are “Yepies”.

Some of the facilities @ YEP VG

Executive Director of YEP Honourable Stacy M. Mather, MBE said building will have a robotics lab. He added that YEP has been doing robotics from 2016 up until now. Hon Mather noted that the building will also include a home work area and a dance area.

The groundbreaking reportedly came after 4 years of negotiation for the land near Ciboney School and securing funding.

Among the donors in attendance were Dr Henry G. Jarecki and Sir Richard CN Branson.

YEP was created in 2007 as the first dedicated youth facility in the [British] Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, other persons at the groundbreaking ceremony were Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE; Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. deCastro (AL).

7 Responses to “Ground breaks for YEP building @ Handsome Bay on VG”

  • esteem (24/03/2024, 14:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need on in district three
  • lodger (25/03/2024, 03:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have individual young people in vg who underwent insurmountable pain as a result of not having a program like this!
  • NezRez (25/03/2024, 08:34) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    WONDERFUL! A stepping stone for a brighter future. Every one of our sister islands needs a YEP program for our children. Mr. Stacy Mather has been leading the way for YEP in east-end Tortola since the beginning for many years now with much success. Some children who attended would not have made it without this program. My thanks go out to everyone involved because without them this would not have gotten off the ground.
  • Happy. Camper (25/03/2024, 10:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Despite all the “ racist rhetoric “ that is spued around ; I’m old enuff to see THAT we still got “ good /great/generous” white people amongst us —-
    Want to publicly Thank “ Budda” and the Doc who boasted about HIS. RICH. WHITE. FRIENDS —- If they are bringing YEP to VG ( a great programme in TOLA for years now) Then MORE POWER to these people — cause THEY are investing in OUR children preparing them for the future . On behalf of the VG community and youth —We say THANK YOU ????????
  • … (25/03/2024, 11:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a positive thing
  • Big up Stace! (25/03/2024, 11:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep pushing for our future leaders and the entire BVI youths! Don’t mind the rhetoric and nose from the mostly empty kerosene pans around. You should’ve been the Minstwr of Education! FACTS!
  • Fantastic move (25/03/2024, 12:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It great to see some people still have the youth at heart but one the most discipline youth structure groups that the Goverment depends on for it protocols and national standards are being neglected and thrown to the dump is the British Virgin Island Cadet Corp who has a symbol of Excellence in it leadership and many of it products produced from the time the hurricane came the Cadets were wash away from it home at the school and up to now them cant find a resting place to call home and this is a school program under the ministry of Education and no help is given and every government conference them want flag bearers Cadets in uniforms that are so worn out it very shameful to see them in what is worn
    This school program need to get back at the school so the young children can see it want to join and be of good character in the community
    The Board of Directors who ever there are let get the cadets a home some officers to run the program at school and build the youth again let's STOP neglecting the youth and this wonderful organization


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