Today is 'Thank Your Mentor' day, the day when people all over the world stop and acknowledge the people who have helped them along the way.

Bermuda has at least two mentoring organisations in Bermuda, Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) and YouthNet, which both work with young people in different ways.

At a special Christmas luncheon Big Brothers & Big Sisters nominated three people to be Bigs of the Year. The children or 'Littles' wrote letters saying why they thought their 'Bigs' should win the award, which was a cedar carving.

Today Lifestyle publishes those letters and reporter Jessie Moniz speaks to the winning 'Bigs'.

For more information about Big Brothers & Big Sisters telephone them at 232-2802.

Joseph Marable gets teary-eyed just talking about his Little Brother, Deken Saunders.

"I see a lot of myself in him," said Mr. Marable who has been Deken's Big Brother for about four years. "If I had to have a son I would want him to be like him. He is just a blessing."

Mr. Marable is evidence that Big Brothers and Big Sisters doesn't just change the lives of kids, it also changes adults.

"I see Deken and I imagine being in each others lives for a long time," said Mr. Marable.

Unfortunately, Mr. Marable missed the BBBS Christmas luncheon as he was abroad.

"This is the first time I have missed the Christmas party in a couple of years," he said. "I was in Walmart on a Saturday when Deken called me. I thought it was strange that he called me from Bermuda, as I usually call him.

"He said, 'so how are you doing? I just wanted to see how it felt to be Big Brother of the Year'.

"I said 'what?'.

"He read the letter to me. I was sitting in Walmart crying listening to him telling me about it. You could tell it was from his heart. It made me feel good to be even a small part of his life. It makes me feel like it was all worth it. It encourages me to try to do as much as I can to support him and his goals."

He said that although the programme requires Bigs to spend about three hours a week together, in actual fact, he spends a lot more time with Deken.

"In the summer he spends a couple of weeks at a time with me," said Mr. Marable. "He lives with his grandmother. I talk to her a lot. It is like an extended family."

When Mr. Marable started as Deken's Big, Deken was 11. He is now 15-years-old.

Mr. Marable said the biggest challenge to being a Big to a teenager was finding the time to be together.

"It is just about trying to fit both of our schedules together. I have a business. I own the Crawl Hill Esso Tiger Market. He is getting more involved in sports and activities," said Mr. Marable. "He is into different sports now. I try to go to his games when I can. He plays football, baseball, and basketball. He also bowls.

"He is also in a special advanced maths and science programme held at Saltus Grammar School.

"He is in his first year at Berkeley Institute, and he has been an honour student since he was at Clearwater Middle School. I try to go to any of his events or activities at school."

He said he tries to keep Deken focused.

"He said at one point he wanted to be a professional football player, but I have always said he has to have something else to fall back on," said Mr. Marable. "He is a very focused young man. I give a lot of credit to his grandmother and his extended family."

Mr. Marable said Deken is not his first mentee. He was in a mentoring programme in Atlanta, Georgia.

"I was connected with a young man for five years, but he was murdered," said Mr. Marable.

"For a long time I was hesitant to get involved again. Then I decided to do it here in Bermuda. The caseworker at the time who matched us, said 'I have a young man I think you will be perfect with'. It has progressed from there.

"I have to thank Big Brothers and Big Sisters for their efforts to encourage men especially to get involved and be a part of this.

"There are several young men who need someone to look up to but don't have a father figure in their life."

Deken Saunder's letter nominating Joseph Marable as Big Brother of the Year.

Joseph is also like a father and a close friend to me. I could talk to him about anything and he listens to me. I feel that he is very interested in my life and he steers me in the right direction.

Joseph has encouraged me to achieve my goals, always have a plan, strive for excellence and stay focused because, YES I CAN.

We are always hanging out together. Doing things like Jetskiing, playing video games (I usually win), go to brunch or church with his family. We even did a walk-a-thon once. I call him or he calls me daily.

Even if he is abroad, he finds time to give me a call. I am at his house often. It is my second home. His family treats me like family and it makes me happy.

Saying all of this, I really hope he wins, The Big of the Year Award, because I think he really deserves it. Joseph is a great man. He is the best Big Brother I could ask for.

Thank you, the Big Brothers & Big Sisters organisation for matching us.

Jjoy

O—optimistic

S—supportive

E—enthusiastic

P—parent figure

H—helping hand.

My big brother is Joseph Marable. He plays a role in my life. He is a very supportive and a helping man. He is my mentor. He is my role model.

Joseph and I have been matched for three years. Ever since he has supported me in everything I do. He comes to many of my events that I'm involved in as he can, and I appreciate just having him there. I even take pictures sometimes.