On Wednesday, June 20, organizers and students from Project Promise’s Caterpillar Project hosted an awareness walk in recognition of World Refugee Day. World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20 to commemorate the courage and strength of millions of refugees forced to flee their home countries because of increasing violence; this year Project Promise wanted to stand in support of refugee families by shining the spotlight on their plight.
The awareness walk was held at Altona Lagoon at 1:30 p.m., and participants included 30 students from the sixth-grade classes of the Lew Muckle Elementary School, in addition to Project Promise’s staff, volunteers and its participants.
The students walked in honor of the more than 5,000 refugees who lost their lives last year. The group walked several laps around Altona Lagoon with each step honoring a life lost.
“The walk was not only held to generate awareness for a global issue, but, hopefully to inspire participants to become advocates for social change,” said Resa O’Reilly, president.
The Walk for Awareness was also held to let the world know that the Virgin Islands and its children are ready to take up the mantle of responsibility needed to foster global change.
The $5 entry fee paid by every student to participate in Wednesday’s walk for awareness will be matched by board members of Project Promise and donated in honor of World Refugee Day to a refugee family who will be identified at a later time.
For more information about The Caterpillar Project or other Project Promise programs, contact Resa O’Reilly at 244-3242. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs and family services. To learn more about Project Promise, visit the website: www.projectpromisevi.com.
