Young poets tackle social issues

The event, which saw a line up of 13 poets, the drama group D-MAD Company and a number of musical acts, was co-hosted and co-ordinated by former journalist Afiya Ray and the San Fernando Arts Council at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando last Monday.

Youth and experience met on the stage with poets from across the country, including students of Pleasantville Secondary, Cowen Hamilton Secondary of Moruga, San Fernando Central Secondary and Montrose Government Primary School. There were also artistes representing The Roots Foundation and The Circle of Poets at the event.

The passionate presentations resonated with the audience as young people shared their perspectives about current issues.

“The event was co-ordinated to give young people an avenue to speak out honestly on issues impacting society, and to do so in a way that is not destructive, while also providing them with some income,” Ray said in a media release.

Through her company Oyez Media Ltd, Ray will continue with a literacy project targeting young people in schools across the country in 2017. This project has been approved by the Ministry of Education, the release said. The company also proposes to use drama and spoken word to connect with the youth.

“We believe that it is better to work with young people and to get them to write and speak out on issues than to leave them to fight and hurt themselves,” said Ray, who is also a mother of three boys.

“It is our hope that we get the support of the public in this venture.” Senior Sanfest will have its grand finale tomorrow.