By Jáedee S.K. Caines
While many talk about the recent incidents of crime in the Virgin Islands territory, one hardworking and community-driven Virgin Islander recalls the early 1990s when crime in the VI seemed like a new discovery. She used those incidents as a foundation to help construct one of the most recognized awareness programs at any Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Dr. Doris Battiste is that person.
She is currently employed by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) as the Associate Campus Administrator, a title equivalent to Dean of Students at other universities. She also holds the post of Administrator of the Substance Abuse, HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Program: a title that has given her much recognition as a woman focused on empowering youth.
Dr. Battiste believes that through involvement in this program, she has had a bright and prosperous career. “I have always had an interest in helping the less advantaged students and I always try to find creative and innovative ways to help students grow and develop,” she said.
After returning to the VI in 1992, following her post graduate studies at Howard University and George Washington University, she was asked to head the drug prevention program that the university had recently received a grant to fund. Since then, Dr. Battiste has spread her wings over a number of other organizations and groups.
She started a volunteer mentoring program with the Michael J. Kerwin Elementary School where UVI students served as mentors to those at the elementary school. This interactive program fostered teamwork, leadership, caring and friendship building and led to the program receiving heavy recommendations from the community.
Dr. Battiste was also instrumental in the functioning of the Family Life Center for Violence Prevention which was an integral part of the university for six years. This program had a very similar concept to the volunteer mentoring program but was located at UVI. To date, some of the students who participated in the program gained employment as teachers of elementary school children.
It was in the year 2005 that she started the Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Program, also known as the Student Peer Educators program (SPE). The name changed in 2007 to include Hepatitis education as another explored avenue. The program, which was funded by a federal grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMSA) has evolved into a dynamic mentoring initiative for the students of UVI by the students of UVI.
The program, which has become very popular on both UVI campuses, has a present role of 29 active Student Peer Educators (SPE): 11 on St. Croix and 18 on St. Thomas.
For Senior Biology student, Cliaunjel Williams, life in the workplace would not be the same without the presence of Dr. Battiste. “I met Dr. Battiste through Student Housing events and through the Student Peer Health Program. I have known her for three years. She encourages me to take advantage of all that UVI has to offer,” Williams said.
As she prepared herself to talk about her student peer educators, Dr. Battiste leaned back in the “semi-rocking chair,” folded her arms and smiled as she said, “My whole life has to be around young people to try and help them, to understand some values that were passed on to me.”
Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Battiste always seems to find the time to assist students with their concerns. Her job as program administrator entails organizing training sessions, providing work plans, interviewing SPEs and providing reports to the federal organization, but her job as Associate Campus Administrator charges her with the responsibility of overseeing the entire Student Affairs component. She credits much of her success to her team at Student Affairs. “My job is sometimes tough. It means long nights but I have a very capable and dedicated staff that manages their units well and makes my job easier,” Battiste said.
Student Peer Educator and junior Biology major, Cherissre Boateng was thrilled to talk about Dr. Battiste’s impact on her life. “I work closely with her. I have known Dr. Battiste for approximately three3 years now. Dr. Battiste is a very professional, outstanding, phenomenal woman who takes her career very seriously. Dr. Battiste motivates me to work hard, work for what I want and always go the extra mile.”
Realizing that she has impacted the lives of her students and possibly others, Dr. Battiste says that only happens because she genuinely cares about what she does. “I always give my all, even if money isn’t involved. That’s just me, very passionate.” She added that the people she chooses
to surround herself with also help to motivate her. “I like to be around people who love to work smarter not necessarily harder.”
Dr. Battiste continues to remain focused on educating students about substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis. While she wants students to be equally educated about the different topics that the student peer educators explore, the greatest awareness seems to be in Hepatitis. Because students have to complete pre and post tests about the different presentation topics, Dr. Battiste and her team are able to monitor the knowledge received by students.
With a Masters in Guidance Counseling and a Doctorate in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Development under her belt, Dr. Doris Battiste continues to make her contribution to the VI community by facilitating programs geared towards educating youth about potential harmful issues around them.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Local Church Outreach to Orphanage in Nigeria
By Marah Joseph
Yes, the economy is in crisis and things are tough globally. Food prices have risen and cost of living has also increased. Imagine what it’s like to maintain an orphanage and support tons of people during this economic crisis. Bishop Elijah Mboho knows exactly what it is like.
Kingdom Life International Christian Center (KLICC), a local church on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is an active supporter of the Nigerian ministerial orphanage Gospel Village, presently under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Mboho. KLICC, under the headship of senior pastor Ashley C. Estrada, assistant pastor Bernaby Joseph and with the help of approximately seven hundred members, this orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is faithfully being supported.
Gospel Village was established in 1965 by Bishop Elijah Mboho. This five acre land is currently home to approximately 1000 individuals
, 80 percent of which are adolescents under the full-time care of Mboho and assistants and 20 percent are older individuals with disabilities who are incapable of providing for themselves. The majority of the children taken to Gospel Village are orphans. Many were abandoned by their parents at birth, and some were found in the woods given away as sacrifice to wild animals. “Some of these children didn’t even know their names, and many have no idea who their biological parents are,” said Carlton Leslie, correspondent person for the Gospel Village mission in KLICC.
Gospel Village, with the help of KLICC mission has helped individuals in so many ways. It provides shelter for all who come seeking help. “Bishop Mboho has never refused anyone help. He welcomes everyone in the name of God,” Leslie said. Even spiritual help is offered in Gospel Village. Leslie said that many people come to Bishop Mboho for help in their spiritual life; some come for deliverance and others for prayer.
“Living conditions may be tough in Gospel Village but Bishop Mboho never allows anyone to call these children less fortunate. He hates that term,” Leslie said during Sunday morning service. Infants only a few months old to four years of age receive three meals a day, children from the ages of five to 11 years are given two meals a day and those above age 12 receive one meal daily.
Each year, more individuals come to Gospel Village for food, shelter, or security, thus, cost of living also increases. Monthly, the KLICC people donate to Gospel Village. The members of this local St. Thomas church contribute by fundraising, and missionary donations. “A small amount of five dollars a week helps provide these kids with food, electricity and necessities,” said Leslie who is also head of the missions department for Gospel Village. Although this amount may seem to be very small and insignificant to many people here on St. Thomas, but it could help feed a hungry child.
“I donate to Gospel Village almost every Sunday. It is amazing what we can achieve if we all come together to support those in need,” said Neisa Cazaubon, Junior Biology major and member of the KLICC church.
A few members from the KLICC pay annual visits to the orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Each year some report life-changing experiences. “I have never seen so many grateful children in my life. They constantly thanked us for our donations and never ceased to pray in the midst of all that hardship. It was amazing to see girls and boys of different age and sizes all praising God together,” Karen John said during Sunday morning testimonials. “It was a humbling experience that has changed my life forever,” said Reah, a member of the KLICC church. Others testified of the spirituality differences between the KLICC congregation and the children at Gospel Village. Some were amazed by they way they saw children praising God for his goodness. “I have never seen anything like it, not even in the church,” said Leslie.
One of the goals that KLICC hopes to accomplish this year is to help raise public awareness. Raising public awareness will first inform people about the Gospel Village. This awareness will then urge people to help donate to a good cause that will feed, educate and provide shelter for children and those adults who are in need. “All I think about is ways that I can help the kids over in Gospel Village. I pray everyday that I can make enough money to support them much more,” said Leslie.
Yes, the economy is in crisis and things are tough globally. Food prices have risen and cost of living has also increased. Imagine what it’s like to maintain an orphanage and support tons of people during this economic crisis. Bishop Elijah Mboho knows exactly what it is like.
Kingdom Life International Christian Center (KLICC), a local church on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is an active supporter of the Nigerian ministerial orphanage Gospel Village, presently under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Mboho. KLICC, under the headship of senior pastor Ashley C. Estrada, assistant pastor Bernaby Joseph and with the help of approximately seven hundred members, this orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is faithfully being supported.
Gospel Village was established in 1965 by Bishop Elijah Mboho. This five acre land is currently home to approximately 1000 individuals
, 80 percent of which are adolescents under the full-time care of Mboho and assistants and 20 percent are older individuals with disabilities who are incapable of providing for themselves. The majority of the children taken to Gospel Village are orphans. Many were abandoned by their parents at birth, and some were found in the woods given away as sacrifice to wild animals. “Some of these children didn’t even know their names, and many have no idea who their biological parents are,” said Carlton Leslie, correspondent person for the Gospel Village mission in KLICC.
Gospel Village, with the help of KLICC mission has helped individuals in so many ways. It provides shelter for all who come seeking help. “Bishop Mboho has never refused anyone help. He welcomes everyone in the name of God,” Leslie said. Even spiritual help is offered in Gospel Village. Leslie said that many people come to Bishop Mboho for help in their spiritual life; some come for deliverance and others for prayer.
“Living conditions may be tough in Gospel Village but Bishop Mboho never allows anyone to call these children less fortunate. He hates that term,” Leslie said during Sunday morning service. Infants only a few months old to four years of age receive three meals a day, children from the ages of five to 11 years are given two meals a day and those above age 12 receive one meal daily.
Each year, more individuals come to Gospel Village for food, shelter, or security, thus, cost of living also increases. Monthly, the KLICC people donate to Gospel Village. The members of this local St. Thomas church contribute by fundraising, and missionary donations. “A small amount of five dollars a week helps provide these kids with food, electricity and necessities,” said Leslie who is also head of the missions department for Gospel Village. Although this amount may seem to be very small and insignificant to many people here on St. Thomas, but it could help feed a hungry child.
“I donate to Gospel Village almost every Sunday. It is amazing what we can achieve if we all come together to support those in need,” said Neisa Cazaubon, Junior Biology major and member of the KLICC church.
A few members from the KLICC pay annual visits to the orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Each year some report life-changing experiences. “I have never seen so many grateful children in my life. They constantly thanked us for our donations and never ceased to pray in the midst of all that hardship. It was amazing to see girls and boys of different age and sizes all praising God together,” Karen John said during Sunday morning testimonials. “It was a humbling experience that has changed my life forever,” said Reah, a member of the KLICC church. Others testified of the spirituality differences between the KLICC congregation and the children at Gospel Village. Some were amazed by they way they saw children praising God for his goodness. “I have never seen anything like it, not even in the church,” said Leslie.
One of the goals that KLICC hopes to accomplish this year is to help raise public awareness. Raising public awareness will first inform people about the Gospel Village. This awareness will then urge people to help donate to a good cause that will feed, educate and provide shelter for children and those adults who are in need. “All I think about is ways that I can help the kids over in Gospel Village. I pray everyday that I can make enough money to support them much more,” said Leslie.
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