Now broadcasting - the St Monica’s Church Radio Project

It was the official opening of the St. Monica's IT Resource Center today at 2:00pm, located in the basement of St. Monica's Church, where distinguished guests Premier Craig Cannonier and Bishop Nick Dill, came to learn more about the various youth programmes and projects that have been developing within this spiritual and socially active hub within the community of 42nd Street.  

Youth Minister Wayne Hackman talked about the changing and morphing usage of the space and how ultimately the Church, and its basement, had remained the same: “ A place for young people to come and access things that might help better and enrich them… that is [the] driving force." 

“And that is what this project is about - like I said it started as a homework club, and now it's turned into a resource center, and all of the computers you see downstairs have been begged and borrowed and donated by a number of people… and what we have done is put the lump together and gotten them working, and we are doing all sorts of projects down there.”

The project introduced to the public this afternoon was called ‘The Radio Project,’ taking place every Wednesday evening at St. Monica’s Church.  It is run by a small group of young people that come together in a safe and positive environment, where they can express themselves. 

Mr. Hackman joked, “We pay a very small subscription so that 100 people can listen to us. I think we have 30 people listening to us at one time, but what's exciting is that these young people have a voice piece where they can express themselves in a positive way. 

The Bermuda Sun asked 18-year-old Jumoke Stovell, one of the young people who are actively involved in the Radio Project, his thoughts on the programme:

“When I first came here to the Radio Project, it wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be, I expected it to be churchy kind of music – but when I came here it was a good beat, really good lyrics, so I got into it and it’s basically given me some different views; it’s opened up the door of music for me.  Now I want to go and produce music as a secondary degree, to the degree I am working towards now [at Bermuda College] in IT.” 

“This is really good place for people to come to, and people can get into it as a hobby base, or just somewhere to come.”