In Jamaican colloquial the term ‘HUSH’ is one which expresses solace, meaning one is not to worry, but the term also bears the connotation ‘hush up!’, a term of reprimand to shut one’s mouth.
In the words of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley, “don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing, is gonna be alright …” This year’s HUSH Children Symposium bears the message – Risky Behaviours. This symposium targeted some identified risky areas:
- Smoking
- Alcohol Usage
- Road Traffic Fatalities
- Early Sexual Activity
- Gang Involvement
The Programme comprised two segments. Session one, a testimonial from person’s affected by or having first hand experience in the issues surrounding these risky behaviours and session two, a break out session or resource centre where there were discussions regarding the various intervention opportunities and coping mechanisms for victims and potential victims by professionals in the field who deal with such situations on a daily basis.
The workshop was held on May 9, 2012, and was organised to benefit our teenage youths (ages 12 – 19). The event was a collaboration between the East Street Junior Centre and the RBC Royal Bank.