A day of youth support to foster peace has been organised by an antiviolence activist — with a battery of community organisations rallying behind the Saving Lives Festival.

Desmond Crockwell Sr, the founder of Youth Vision promotion group, said the backing of the Zulu Warriors Gombey Troupe and entertainers including Bootsie and the 2024 Bermuda Idol winner Demara Maybury, would add to the day of togetherness to “show our young people what empowerment, togetherness, fun and purpose truly mean”.

“This Saving Lives Festival is part of a larger campaign in which we want to focus on supporting young people with skill building,” he told The Royal Gazette. “If we don’t help nurture them, those skills can be lost.”

The day will come with football, family games and representatives from youth support groups.

Mr Crockwell, with years of experience as a community worker and the antiviolence magazine Visionz, said the March 28 event had been in the works since October, with partner organisations including Bermuda College, the Gina Spence Programme and the Emperial Group lending support.

Carlton Crockwell, pastor of the Victory Kingdom Worship Centre — another group that will have a presence at the day out on Francis Patton Parish School field in Hamilton Parish — said: “It’s important to support Desmond’s vision.

“What Desmond is doing is bringing together the community and letting them know they all matter. Some people may have issues, but it doesn’t mean they do not matter to God. The first thing God tells us in the Bible is to love each other. I believe Desmond is getting us back to where love is the number-one item of the day.”

He added: “Let’s get behind this in March and make a difference in our community.”

Ms Maybury said the theme of “Unite the Village” was something “dear to my heart”.

She said: “I found my purpose through my years as a child coming up, and being part of music really empowered me.”

Ms Maybury left the island in childhood to live 12 years in Canada with her parents.

She added: “When we talk about the village, family and community, I didn’t find that when I moved away — I had to try to rebuild it.”

Ms Maybury said her band teacher had helped her find her voice and a new path through music.

“Music is very healing, so it’s great to be able to perform and support those who have a passion for music as well. I’m sure Desmond has a lot more planned for the future.”

Mr Crockwell said he was particularly keen for men to join the day out from noon until 6pm at the school field.

He was joined by young students from the Pauulu Heritage Institute, a home school run by Iman Gibbons, which will also have a place at the community day.

Aamari Rattery, 10, said having a village meant “you have your friends and your family around you — if you fall back down, you get back up and keep trying”.

Hassan Millett, 11, added: “If you get stuck in one place and don’t know what to do, the rest of your village will know what to do.”

Ten-year-old Lonahié Tota said: “To me, living in peace means to be humble and to have respect — to treat other people with kindness and be sincere.

“If somebody needs help, help them. Don’t turn a blind eye.”

Tickets are available online at savinglivesbda.com.