Naparima Open Unit and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is also known as DofE, The Head of State Award, The President’s Award Programme, The International Award for Young People, and the Governor General’s Youth Award.

The Award is available to all 14-24 year olds and is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It equips young people for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests.

Persons within this age range acknowledge that the Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others; it encourages young people to recognise their personal limits and recognise their achievements working at a pace most accommodating to them.

Since its launch over 60 years ago, the award has been under the auspices of the sitting Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago for the past 50 years.

Our Open Unit Leader Mr. Lindsay Sahai has recognized the value of the award and has been working assiduously with his Leaders and participants helping these young people to be ready for “their” world. Due to the intake of secondary school students interested in being a part of the Naparima Open Unit, leaders have now branched off to form their individual Units and these are: Presentation College San Fernando Open Unit under lead of Dr. Joel Rampersad and St. Joseph’s Convent San Fernando under lead of Faviola Whittier.

Non-formal education in the 4 domains: skill, service, adventurous journey and physical harnesses development as resilience, confidence and communication and these areas can help to ensure every young person can say I AM #WORLDREADY! Our participants not only engage in life skills but are also exposed to various talent/skill training in various disciplines at their choosing: kayaking, swimming and archery to name a few.

Naparima Open Unit training takes place at Naparima Girls High School every Saturday from 8am to 12noon. Persons interested in becoming leaders and or volunteers are encouraged to call us as well as young persons interested in joining the programme @736 0981.