Students on the Future Leaders Programme have shared their experiences.

The students spent 90 hours over three weeks speaking with politicians, volunteering with the homeless and learning about the most needy in society through a series of films.

The students who took part gave presentations at the closing ceremony and showcase held at the Berkeley Institute last night.

Lynnae Garnett, 14, said the programme inspired her to spread the word that there is an underclass in Bermuda and that the community must help to uplift them.

She told The Royal Gazette: “I enjoyed learning about how we can fix poverty and the crime rate and learning about how we, as youth, can help Bermuda get back on its feet.

“Since we are the future generation of Bermuda, we need to know all the basics now, so when we grow up and become lawyers and politicians, we will know how to govern Bermuda and know her strengths and weaknesses.

“I want to enlighten more youth about the problems in Bermuda.”

Lynnae spent time at The Salvation Army volunteering with the poor and homeless.

She said: “I want to take away the stereotype that poor people are on drugs or they are not educated — they are some of the nicest people in the world.

“I met some when I went to volunteer at The Salvation Army — one lady even cried when we helped her. It gave me a sense of joy to know that the little bit that I did brought so much joy to one person.”

Another highlight for Lynnae was meeting with Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, who described his own journey from poverty to success.

“It was very inspiring to meet him. He told us stories about how he came out of poverty and he just blossomed. He told us to break the rules. If there is something wrong with the law, change the law and go after it.”