- September, 23 2011 -
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JOHN BARNES BRINGS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE UNPRIVILEGED YOUTH OF HAITI
During his stay in Haiti, for The Digicel Kick Start Clinics 2011, the former international legend John Barnes did more than leading a soccer clinic for the U-16 soccer national quad.
In spite of his busy schedule that included several interviews, two clinics a day, and so forth John managed in a way to find the time to visit youth training center dedicated to people with disabilities in the Carrefour region. In the “Home of Love” -as this Center is named- young people learn to do embroidery, sewing even though several of them are athletes who have most recently partaken in the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece.
The same day in the afternoon, John Barnes visited young earthquake victims who are currently sheltered in one of the largest camps in the Haitian capital. He spent a great deal of time talking, sharing and advising the youth on taking charge of their lives using his own life story as inspiration. “It was a humbling experience to meet the young people of the “Home of Love” and “Place Jeremie” in Port-au-Prince and to hear their stories. They are an inspiration to all of us for their resolve and positivity, in spite of their circumstances. They made me feel very welcomed and I feel honoured to have shared some time with them.” Mr Barnes also took this opportunity to remind them of the importance of school education, discipline, as well as the necessity for each one of them to carry on with their dreams despite their current struggles and obvious challenges
