A specially transformed bus is to be used to get across anti-drug and anti-violence messages to young people as part of an initiative involving the Island Soccer League, Government and The Hope for Life team.

The bus was launched at the National Stadium by football chief David Bascome and Labour, Home Affairs and Housing Minister, Senator David Burch Minister.

An old bus was donated by the Ministry of Tourism and Transport to the Hope For Life team to assist with spreading their anti-drug and anti violence message throughout the community.

The bus underwent a major transformation led by Kevin Busby of Busby's Paint and Body Shop.

Sen. Burch said: "As you can see from the outside, this bus has undergone a major transformation and has been gutted and refitted with a new interior.

"The interior has been modified to include audio-visual equipment to assist the moderators with getting their message out via 21st century means.

"Over the past 14 days many man-hours have gone into transforming this bus, the men on the job were able to put in the long hours because of the understanding women at home. Therefore, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to your wives who were home holding the fort for many hours without their husbands or significant others."

Island Soccer League (ISL) Commissioner, David Bascome thanked the Ministries and Kevin Busby and crew for meeting such a short timeline: "The bus will be a vehicle for the Hope for Life Programme so we can spread our message about the importance of staying free from drugs and violence.

"It has been equipped so we could show videos, PowerPoint presentations and much more.

"With the ISL players on board, this would also help them get into the community and do their part and spread the word of hope for life and also fulfill their duties as role models."

The bus will be used to transport the programme presenters to schools, churches, and communities – anywhere throughout the island to share the Hope for Life message.

During the ISL league season the bus will be used to run a shuttle service from the Sparky Lightbourne Bus Terminal to the National Sport Centre after the regular No. 9 bus service has concluded.

The Hope for Life programme will focus on four major areas:

• Provide accurate information about the dangers of drugs, and the downfalls of violence.

• Teach young people good decision-making skills.

• Show young people how to recognise and resist negative peer pressure; and

• Give young people and their families positive alternatives to drug use and violence.

Prevention will be the focus of Hope for Life.

The process to transform the bus took 14 days to complete and Mr. Busby's team included his father Calvin Busby and son Kavon Busby, Jose Barbosa and the CD Carpentry Limited team, Philando Hill, Billy Dunn, Patrick Durham, Allan Jackson, the Bermuda Blueprinting Limited team of Stephen Flood and John Stevens, M & M and Bermuda Air Conditioning Limited.