Revenge is not the way.
PHILIPSBURG:--- For the observance of National Bullying Prevention Month in St. Maarten, the Voice of Our Children (VOOC) recently held a walkathon here against bullying.
Following the walkathon, one of the speakers to address students, parents, and invited guests on bullying prevention was Elsidro St. Jago, Section Head of Security Guards at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).
St. Jago, a victim of bullying during his childhood, called on the children to acknowledge that there are different forms of bullying.
"Bullying is not only physical, it can be verbal, this can cause emotional distress to the victims. ... Verbal abuse can lead to low self-esteem among victims," said St. Jago.
He revealed to the audience that he also saw a bully fatally succumb to his consequences when a victim fought back. St. Jago told students who are victims of bullying that, "revenge was not the way" and that he saw how "a young life was lost because of bullying."
St. Jago urged students to select "positive friends and associates because the wrong association can lead to bullying." In his closing remarks St. Jago asked the students to "treat people with respect in their everyday lives."
The VOOC program was also addressed by Prime Minister Sarah Wescott-Williams and Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs. The walkathon and addresses also rallied participants and the audience against other forms of violence and for peace.
VOOC is among the organizations raising awareness about bullying in the island's schools.