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The Squeegee Academy International in partnership with the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme are launching a programme to uplift windshield wipers by educating and teaching them skills that will advance their future.

The programme is expected to launch next January and will be incorporating HEART/NSTA Trust to train these youths for 10 months in areas such as mechanics and carpentry. The programme will also offer basic training in mathematics, English and computer studies for windscreen wipers ages 18 to 30. They will also learn mentorship and life skills like conflict resolution. Sheleisha Kassie, the CEO and founder of Squeegee, said she was motivated to start the programme after seeing windshield wipers on her daily commute, and getting to know some of them.

"We used to give them some change but one day I said this is not good enough, more needs to be done. Everyone wants to see change but doesn't want to be a part of the change so I said enough is enough," Kassie told THE STAR.

"The aim is to not only help these young men become industrious but give them a reason to be a part of the society on a more productive level and don't see themselves anymore as just squeegee boys. We also want others to recognise that they have potential as well and not just see them as squeegee boys or windscreen wipers," said Kassie.

Colonel Martin Rickman, the national coordinator of HOPE, is also expecting the Squeegee programme to have a strong impact on the youths, and believes more programmes like this are needed.

"A lot of these youths really don't know how to behave at the traffic light or even in a work space, but it's often not their fault. Had they been given the right guidance, the right form of attention and love growing up, we wouldn't be seeing what we're seeing today. However, it is not too late. So the programme is seeking to provide an avenue for these boys to plan for their future and get on a career path opposed to just seeing themselves as a windscreen wiper," said Rickman.

The recruitment of the windshield wipers will begin in October. After this, an assessment will be done and those selected will be given a stipend and free training in their field of choice.

The organisations are still seeking sponsorships and are encouraging companies to come onboard to offer internship opportunities for the youths.