The tragic death of a 16-year-old just days before a brilliant Carnival performance was more than coincidence—it was a wake-up call. It revealed the two Antiguas we’re living in: one where youth soar with talent, and one where they fall through the cracks.

Carnival, with its color and culture, is often a joyous time. But joy must coexist with purpose. While we dance in the streets, we must also walk alongside our youth. And when I sat in the audience at the Teen Splash event, I knew we were watching something sacred—young people expressing their truth through art.

That truth included a call to action: bring back the village.

Not the village of yesterday, but a reimagined one. Today, the pillars of our community include tech-savvy nonprofits, schools, private companies, and grassroots leaders. And through Good Humans 268’s Student Community Service Program, we’re mobilizing these forces for good.

Our Student Community Service Program is creating a new framework of civic responsibility. Children as young as five are getting involved. Teens are learning about the environment, discipline, and empathy. It’s volunteerism redefined—modern, measurable, meaningful.

We’re not guessing our way through youth development anymore. We’re building systems. The app in development will transform how service hours are matched, tracked, and rewarded. It will connect students with opportunities, and institutions with talent. In the process, we will raise a generation that feels a sense of purpose and pride.

But more than anything, this work is about love. The kind of love that sees a troubled boy and offers mentorship instead of judgment. The kind of love that teaches soft skills like emotional intelligence, communication, and time management—skills that break cycles and build futures.

It’s not too late. We’re not too far gone. The Carnival lights will fade, but what we do next will determine whether the memories were fleeting or foundational. Let us build a culture where every 16-year-old knows their life matters. Where community doesn’t just happen—it is cultivated.

Let’s bring the village back. Let’s bring Antigua and Barbuda forward.