St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service, 28.10.03

Small Islands Voice Youth Ambassador Samal Duggins continues to make the most of his youthful energy ad creativity as demonstrated by the release of a solo music album.

Samal, a second year student at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, had his first encounter with Small Islands Voice in 2002 when he was chosen by the UNESCO sponsored initiative to journey to Palau in the Pacific as a Youth Ambassador.

Eighteen-year old Samal is no stranger to using his creativity in a positive manner and reaping the rewards. In 2001 he entered the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Environmental Poster Competition and won first place in the 13-16 year-old category. That same year he entered the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Essay Competition and won third place.

Samal's philosophy on life is such that he believes that advancement has to be balanced by being accountable for and taking the necessary steps to counteract the negative side effects.

Music is a vehicle this young Kittitian man uses to get his positive message across. He sees himself as following in the footsteps of his father, a former entertainer, and is a self proclaimed 'Ghetto Ambassador' as he has titled his CD.

Samal's persona is such that a wide range of persons are impressed by his talent and message. One such person, President of the Centre for Rights and Development, Mr. Mathew Servina, who met the young man at the Palau meeting, described him as a 'promising youth from a Caribbean nation'. This moved Mr. Servina to invite Samal to a workshop in Seychelles in the Indian Ocean in November 2003. Samal has also been asked to perform 'Mother Earth's Dying Cry' at the meeting.