Video: Salvation Army Kite Building Programme

April 1, 2015

Clients of the Salvation Army Harbour Light programme have been putting their hand to kite-building as they continue to work on self-improvement, with the results helping to raise funds as well as give the clients an opportunity to give back to the community.

The programe’s kite building effort, which has been active since 2000, sees kites sell for $25 and round kites sell for $35, with many of the kites very well designed, and showcasing the clients’ skills. Besides the kites to be sold, the programme’s clients also build kites for themselves, with plans to head to Chaplain Bay on Good Friday in order to fly them.

Kent Laws, senior counselor at Salvation Army Harbour Light, said, “We are having a kite-making, and this kite-making effort is to help to support the clients’ activities fund so they can go out and do some good things in the community, as well as to experience some things they may not have been doing as a result of their addiction.

“We have some people that come looking for us, and we have new people every year, and then we have some that spread the word for us as well. So we do really good with that.”

“Now that they are recovering, they are able to give back by participating in our kite-making effort, which has been going on since the year 2000 and the majority of the clients actually take part. We have spaces for ten clients. We have eight at this time, and they really do good as you can see.”

“[We have] kites of all colours and fashion and styles. We have round kites, the regular standard kites, small kites, big kites,” added Mr. Laws, who also noted they take special orders.

When asked how many kites the programme expects to build and sell, Mr. Law said, “Between 50 and 60, and we sell them right up until Good Friday morning. They’re at Harbour Light on the corner of King and Victoria Street in the heart of the city, and I believe our prices are the best prices on the island.

When asked how important the kite-building programme is, Mr. Laws said, “It is very important. It builds their self-esteem. Like I said earlier, it gives them some purpose and feeling good about giving back. Doing something they may not have done for a long time.”

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