Former Guardian journalist, Giselle Morris shares her experience gleaned from Servol Adolescent Development Programme, Arima. "I entered the programme right out of school as my mother felt I needed something extra to help build my social and interpersonal skills. It really turned out to be a very positive and in some ways life changing experience for me.
"Apart from field trips, the classroom sessions provided an excellent forum for open group discussion-you learned the art of debate with no name calling, no lost tempers, even in the most heated discussions there was mutual respect. "It prepared you not just for a successful career in whatever trade path you embarked on, but you learned the skills that would make you a successful person, partner and parent. There were lessons on how to deal with anger and strong emotions, talks about values, love, marriage, parenting, even sex. I learned that I had a talent for public speeches and writing."