RICARDO Allen wants to mould the lives of the vulnerable children in Jamaica.

As such, the 21 year old is advocating for young people to become a part of his programme and devote some hours of the week to children in need.

“I am seeking young active people to come on board. Youths, mainly 18 years

and older from the sixth form and university levels,” said Allen, who grew up without a father, and did not recognise a father figure in his community of August Town.

Since launching the programme — the Sagicor Big Brother Mentorship Programme — last month, many university students have already become mentors and are supporting the initiative.

“Over 20 students, of the actuarial society of the University of the West Indies, have already agreed to mentor. We still need more mentors in our organisation, as each day we find a new child in need,” said Allen, the director and a final year student of the University of the West Indies.

Allen says he is mainly targeting university students to become mentors, because he wants more youths to become motivated to attend university.

The Big Brother Mentorship Programme comprises of a leadership team inclusive of Allen, Kersen Stephens, Oshane Brady, Layne Atkinson and Lance Brown. The idea of starting such a programme, they said, surfaced from observing how children in Jamaica are operating due to the lack of guidance and financial care.

Allen approached Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited for sponsorship in August. At that time, Sagicor was seeking a programme of this nature to sponsor and decided to partner with Allen and his leadership team.

“Allen, myself and Oshane were talking and playing dominoes one night in the summer. We began speaking of sponsoring a programme where we could help others in need. Allen called me afterwards and told me of an idea he had, and asked me if I would like to get on board. From there we all started planing together,” said Kersen Stephens, 22, mentor and member of Big Brother’s leadership team.

Since becoming involved with Sagicor, Big Brother has conducted fundraising activities and offered scholarships.

Allen says that he wants his mentors to create a deep connection with the children they mentor as this is one contributing factor to changing those they wish to assist.

“Many organisations keep giving without creating a deep relationship with those they have helped. After offering things to make their life and standards of living better, sponsors do not follow up on those they have helped. This is one reason why many lose their way,” Allen said.

“I am close in age with these children and I know what they are going through and I want to guide in the right path. The main door for a change in the lives of our future generation, is through mentorship. I grew up in the volatile community of August Town and if it were not my mentor Danny Williams, I would be the opposite person I am today,” he told Career & Education.

“I want to see the programme at a level where mentors can better help other young people to conduct themselves in social and professional environments. Students need attention from mentors or they will get left behind. Many children are late bloomers, especially boys,” he said.

Next year, Allen plans on leaving Jamaica to study quantitative finance or financial engineering in the United Kingdom. Thus, he is currently seeking someone to replace him. Those who wish to become mentors can contact Allen at 580-2513 or e-mail ricardodallen@gmail.com.