HTS CHANNEL 4 ST. LUCIA

Article by: Alison Kentish

It's a program that combines football and education. The initiative promotes the idea that a truly positive person is a strong mind and spirit in a fit body. The program is called TOCO, short for 'They Often Cry Outreach.' It brings hundreds of soccer balls, uniforms and equipment to primary and secondary schools and charity groups. [Taj] Weekes says the program is built on his childhood here and the belief that one soccer ball can be not only a source of joy to a child but also improve health, self-discipline, self-esteem and confidence.

The initiative is endorsed fully by RISE Saint Lucia Inc. The organisation's Founder – Dr. Stephen King says it's the type of donation that will give young people a chance to excel. Dr. Marcus Day works with young people who have fallen through the cracks. It helps the homeless and drug addicts. Dr. Day supports TOCO – which he says is a proactive approach to dealing with young people.

Through TOCO's recent efforts, BIOLA University of Southern California has pledged five annual scholarships to qualified soccer players who exhibit strong grade point averages and testing scores. These scholarships will be awarded to Saint Lucian students through TOCO SOCCER. Weekes founded TOCO in 2008 to help underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sport, education and wellness programs.