“We’re Only Hurting Each Other”: Babonneau Youth Want Peace

Babonneau Youth Synergy (BYS), a community-based organisation, has set a target to quell crime in the once peaceful district. Over the past two years, homicides have rocked the area, devastating families, affecting businesses, and suppressing the once-lively community. Aldric Edward, Babonneau Youth Synergy President, told St. Lucia Times, “…especially on Fridays, you know, everybody would have their barbecue out, their shops set up, music playing—the community is very, very lively…Well it used to be, but of course, now we’ve seen a totally different story and it’s simply because of the fearfulness that people feel. They’re kind of skeptical about doing things.” The community’s 23-year-old Dante St. Ange, 63-year-old Abraham Charles Rose, 38-year-old Devon Maximin, and 17-year-old Alva Cole, all violently lost their lives within the last nine months. Edward believes hate-based conflicts linked to personal matters among people from different neighbourhoods inside the district are at the issue’s core. “…in different communities, you’d find that ‘this guy doesn’t like that guy’ and it raises animosity,” he shared. As homicide victims and individuals involved in crime in the area are predominantly young, the BYS has sprung into action to tackle the issue through remedial programs and awareness initiatives. In the upcoming...