Minister volunteers as 'male role model'

The minister without portfolio spends his Monday mornings reading to students at Victor Scott school.

Mr Weeks told the Bermuda Sun: “As a former student of the Central School, now Victor Scott Primary School, it was always my aim to give back to the school that laid an important foundation in my educational life.

“Last year, when I saw the window of opportunity in my schedule, my desire was to volunteer my services, as a male role model at the school.”

Mr Weeks spoke with the school’s principal, Valerie Williams, to find out how he could get involved by reading to the students and helping with math.

He reads to classes from 10am to 11am and tutors math from 11am to 12pm.

Asked whether more people in the community should follow his lead, Mr Weeks said: “ I wouldn’t say, that people should follow my lead, but, I do believe wholeheartedly, that we should look for every opportunity to give back to the community in some shape or form.

Invaluable

“Whether that be volunteering at a local school, mentoring a young boy or girl or working to make our neighborhood a better place, community service is vital and teaches invaluable lessons to those who we serve and to us who are willing to give the service.”

As for what he learns from the students, Minister Weeks said: “When I walk to my car, on Monday afternoons after reading with the students, invariably I always share a quiet smile.

“We have some terrific young people in our public school system.

“These young people force me to be a better listener, to think beyond the realms of possibility; and to enjoy being imaginative.

“Quite frankly, this is a very special part of my Monday schedule.”

He continued: “Anyone who knows me can attest that I have always had a spirit to help others.

“In so doing, my desire is to demonstrate to the young people that I encounter, that we must be proud of our heritage.

“We must be positive role models to the generations that follow us and even to those that we call ‘peers’. 

“As a black male in Bermuda, I want to assist in any way that I can to make our country a place that we can all be proud of.”

Mr Weeks said he strives to give back to the students and, in turn, hopes they will grow up to be responsible citizens who will give back to their community.

“So often, we can get caught up in everyday life and it becomes easy to forget that which gave us our footing in life.

“We become too big for our britches as the older generation used to say.