A depiction of the Leon Hess mural.
The Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS) has launched an anti-violence initiative in response to the recent upsurge of homicides and other violent crimes in St. Lucia.
LHCSS Principal Rohan Lubon said the ‘Stop the Violence’ campaign in schools is the brainchild of past student Shervon Monrose, who contacted him on Saturday, April 11 via telephone and Facebook after four homicides were committed in Castries. A fifth homicide was committed later that same day.
Lubon said he quickly embraced the idea because he found it “fitting to promote the message through schools first and foremost”.
A mural will be created to kick-start the campaign.
“We found it necessary to send a message to the public and as a result Mr. Monrose produced a very creative and eye-catching poster to push the ‘Stop the Violence’ message,” Lubon said.
“The ‘Stop the Violence’ message as seen in the poster will be placed as a mural on the school’s compound which can be permanently visible to all students. Hopefully this initiative will be taken up by other schools,” he added.
The principal explained the reason for the mural. “An attractive mural easily catches the attention of many persons and its visual effect can quickly convey a message to a vast majority of persons in a short space of time. Many persons also have much appreciation for good artwork.”
Lubon further explained that LHCSS intends to spread the message not only at the school and its environs but to also filter this message to as many schools as possible island wide.
Meanwhile Monrose told St. Lucia News Online that he found it ideal to approach the school first, and applauded Lubon for his effort to help take back St. Lucia ‘One Yute at a Time’ – the phrase to be used in the mural.
“But of course, this initiative does not end there. All schools are welcome to participate,” Monrose said.