Local business supports children and teens enhancing their soft skills and building citizenry

Peak Investments hosted an Etiquette Camp training workshop at the UWI Open Campus from August 8th – 12th , 2022. This year, the business support agency played a positive role in the community, giving children and teens, ages 5 – 15 an opportunity to advance their social skills in interpersonal skills, improved politeness, image development and being a good citizen. The 5day event was facilitated by over 12 facilitators from well-respected organizations those of which supported the programme in the enhancement of etiquette and social skills in projecting confidence, reinforcing proper posture, poise, and deportment as we seek to close, the moral gap among the Dominican youth.
The children and teens were taught a few techniques to cope with stress, adaptability, and to show
empathy and gratitude. Acknowledging participants short attention span, in very creative ways they were
reminded of better ways to communicate, and emphasis was made on behaviors that depict kindness and politeness. The group of students enhanced their skills in using body Language to communicate and
understand non-verbal communication. Learning to say “NO”, identifying signals that presents a threat or
insecurities, to name a few.
These 5 – 15-year-old, boys and girls were also advised on ways to become effective citizens and
meaningful members of society. At their tender age, boys and girls were advised on what to wear, image branding, and reminded of the everyday hygienic practices. Whilst giving advice on which colours to wear or practicing how to hold a smile to create a first good impression, children and teens were advised on better ways to use money, enhanced skills in setting a table, table manners, and learnt a few basic dance waltz steps.
Every day, the participants were reminded in song, to practice good manners and be respectful all the
time because that’s all that matter. Closing the Etiquette Camp, children and teens at the event were
reminded that “Manners Maketh Man”. The precious gems happily participated in tongue twisters, whilst
discovering hints and tactics in graceful standing, walking, and sitting properly.
These participants got the opportunity to interact with different cultures, greet someone in 6 languages (Spanish, French, Russian, French creole, Japanese, and Arabic), introduce themselves with a firm
handshake, eye contact and are able to keep a 60 second conversation with anyone.
On International Youth Day – August 12th 2022, 17 participants of the Etiquette Camp participated in the
first ever Handshake Competition. Judges from the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) and
Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) evaluated the following: firm handshake, eye contact and the ability for each child to keep a 60 second conversation.
Seven (7) winners of the Handshake Competition were: (1) Christiana Laplante, (2) Kadisha De Beauville
(3) Samake Gurrier, (4) Norlan Jeffrey, (5) Kayla-Maria Astaphan, (6) Serlyn Jeffrey and (7) Kayla Xavier.
The Handshake Competition was a contest that placed emphasis on teaching children and teens manners, discipline, respect, and professional conduct. Participants were introduced to the nuances of professional human interaction as they were taught various skills such as how to give a proper handshake, introductions, and how to remain composed under pressure.
Franklin D Roosevelt stated, “We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build them for
the future.” The Etiquette camp was organized by Peak Investments and supported by the Dominica
Council of Ageing, Optipharm Eye Centre, Jays Limited, One Good Deed, H.H.V Whitchurch & Co Ltd. –
SMALTA, National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD), Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT), and Finance
Focus.