These two little words “Choices Count”, can have such scope and meaning that I invite you to ponder with me today how the simple concept of allowing our young people to make choices about their lives may be more desirable than trying to turn them into us.

First of all I need to let you know that “Choices Count” is a programme developed by Randy Rebold and Don Marsh and with guiding materials published by the Hal Leonard Corporation, U.S.A. However the initiative to introduce the programme to Anguilla is being taken by the Anglican community to reach out to Anguillian children and youth from every creed to receive and deliver through song, messages for character building. This may sound like a serious and heavy business. Serious it is but the approach and the rhythms fit right in with where our young people are and so the programme is gaining the attention of all those who have been introduced to it so far. To give an example of how the programme is intended to work, young people who have signed up in the Anguilla Stingray Music Programme being offered by the Rastafari Community, and who have expressed an interest in singing, are joining the Choices Count programme and you will hear the results in the performance that will be given by this interdenominational group either near the end of this year or at the beginning of 2006.
The person introducing and driving the programme is Mrs. Margaret Augustus whom we all know as Nurse Margaret and who is not only as a chorister with the St. Augustine Choir but also earned tremendous success as the manager of her many times crowned calypsonian son, The Mighty Tornado. Though he is now called Nado and has teamed up with Raul Vanterpool to become the popular K9, fans like me still miss the dynamic performances and positive lyrics of the Mighty Tornado on the calypso stage. According to Nurse Margaret, musical outreach is a primary aspect of the programme that allows youth in Anguilla to reach out to each other through music. Her admonition and advice is that in light of the current challenges faced by young people in today’s social climate, adults in Anguilla are urged “to put away religion and other barriers to fight the ills prevailing in the Anguillian society.” The emphasis is first being placed on unifying our children and youth through music and later on the element of competition may be introduced.
Music in the Choices Count programme is but a means to an end and that end is character building. The programme therefore highlights six pillars of character building, six core ethical values that are the foundation of the programme that says CHARACTER COUNTS! These values are Trustworthiness, Respect, Caring, Sharing, Responsibility and Citizenship. Following is the way in which the Choices Count brochure spells out some of the lessons that will be learned by the children and youth participating in the programme.
TRUSTWORTHINESS – Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal – stand by your family, friends and country.
RESPECT – Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.
RESPONSIBILITY – Do what you are supposed to do. Persevere: keep on trying. Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act – consider the consequences. Be accountable for your choices.
FAIRNESS – Play by the rules. Take turns and share. Be open-minded; listen to others. Don’t take advantage of others. Don’t blame others carelessly.
CARING – Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need
CITIZENSHIP – Do your share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Get involved in community affairs. Stay informed; vote. Be a good neighbour. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment.
The programme is encouraging registration by group and there is still time to sign up the children and youth from your church or neighbourhood as a group for the Choices Count programme, as practice is expected to begin late next week. When you identify your group just call Nurse Margaret (497-4412 home or 497-2909 work), the Youth and Culture Division (498-3792) or Triple Crown Culture Yard (497-2878). Be sure to leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
I have only one small problem with the programme and it is coming to me only now as I write this. It is the assumption that these core ethical values have already been inculcated in adults in Anguilla but when I search for the evidence, I am finding only small pockets of what used to be widely held or communal values. What I would urge therefore, is that you encourage your child to sign up for the Choices Counts programme but also that you learn the lyrics to those songs and maybe even accompany your child to the practice sessions for these are values that need to be reinforced in all of us if Anguilla is really to hold its head above the waters of social disintegration.

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