Twenty-four lads from the San Fernando Boys' RC School took the oath of the Red Cross Society to love and care for their fellow man earlier this month. In a simple inauguration at the Bishop Mendes Auditorium, the young boys anxiously awaited their turn to pledge allegiance to society. After swearing in and receiving their certificates, the boys were addressed by the youth director of the Red Cross, Gail Austin-Pinder, who instructed them to remain dedicated to the society as it served a lifelong process.
Austin-Pinder said: "Joining the Red Cross prepares you for lifelong processes. It also teaches you to survive if there is a disaster and contributes to you knowing how to help out around the home. "It is extremely necessary for adults to give young people their support, particularly boys. We have to encourage them. "Boys, you have to keep the spirit of volunteerism alive. Everyone always looks for a reward on a request of a task, but in the Red Cross Society we are not financially rewarded. "The work we commit ourselves to do is very serious and challenging, and we do this with a big heart, Austin-Pinder said.
Parents turned out in support of their children's journey. School principal Lester Victor also challenged the boys to live up to their name–the Youth Red Cross Warriors (YRCW). He told them a warrior was one who put up a fight, and their fight was to help as many of their peers during a time when they were most needed. Victor said it was admirable how they were volunteering of themselves to help their classmates. He added: "You are an important arm of the school. As the young nurses or future doctors, you share a feeling of hope for your brother man and his suffering.
"You volunteer of yourself to help classmates and you have no personal gain but to see others well. That is a blessing and this will go a long way in your lives." Austin-Pinder told the parents to let their children practise on them, allowing them to bandage and administer what they have learnt through their Red Cross meetings. Both the opening and closing prayers were done by members of the YRCW, Dominic Tam and Jehryl Wallace, respectively. The national anthem was sung by new members of the YRCW, brothers Mark and Matthew Powell.