Hay-Webster
More than 200 residents of the March Pen Road community in St Catherine have been given a second chance through training in various skills areas.
According to Ivan Barnes, president of the March Pen/Corlettes Road Community Development Committee, the gesture of the groups responsible for the changes heralds a new spirit in the area.
"The area is beaming with positive energy, persons who used to be idle are now being trained and are feeling that they can help to do something positive to build their community," Barnes said.
He said people are being trained in auto mechanics, housekeeping, food preparation and cosmetology. Training in masonry and plumbing are soon to come on board.
According to Barnes, the courses which are being conducted at Children First, Phillipo Baptist Church and along Brunswick Avenue, last for an average of six months and, after the initial training, participants will be examined.
"I am currently being trained in the food preparation course and it is indeed a pleasure to know that I can be a certified cook. This speaks to empowerment for all," Barnes told The Gleaner.
He said he was thankful to the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, which has been working with the Social Development Commission, The Community Security Initiative and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.
Positive change
People who spoke to The Gleaner said they were encouraged by the gesture to make a change in their communities.
Participants said Member of Parliament Sharon Hay-Webster was also instrumental in getting the programme running.
Participants are given a stipend of $4,000, fortnightly, to cover immediate expenses.
The gesture is a dream come true for the communities. It gives participants the chance to make positive contributions to their communities.
Almost 19,000 residents occupy the area which comprises the informal community of 'Africa', where almost 5,000 people reside.
For a number of the participants in the 17-50-year-old age group, the training represents a positive change that will have a positive effect.
rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com