Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
At left, Everton Morgan, while, at right, Karin Cooper, Corporate Affairs Manager of the Gleaner Company, left, presents Kareem Bryan with a prize package for most outstanding female athlete in the 13-15 age category.
Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
A SUMMER camp geared at empowering youths in marginalised inner-city communities ended on Friday with many of the participants and organisers expressing hope that skills learnt will help reduce crime and violence in the areas.
Under the theme, "Youth Empowerment for Better Communities", some 260 young people ranging in ages from seven to 17 from different communities spent two weeks (August 11-22) at the camp dubbed "The Kingston Central Police Division/PSOJ Leadership Enhancement Programme".
ATTENDED
It was attended by youth who live in the Allman Town, Fletcher's Land, Gold Street, City Centre and Kingston Central police divisions.
Police Superintendent Carlton Wilson from the Kingston Central Division said the police and its sponsors recognised that many young people from these inner-city communities were greatly marginalised as a result of not being exposed to the socially acceptable leadership styles that would enable them to make meaningful contributions to society.
It was against this background that planned activities sought to address this need, he said.
Activities included counselling in conflict resolution, the role of the police, drug awareness and career development. Participants in the programme also got the opportunity to sharpen their skills in needlework, tie and dye, art and craft and learning the importance of fair play in sports like netball and football.
Many of the children described the programme as fun and exciting. One camper, 13-year-old Kareem Bryan, was overwhelmed by some of the places she visited. "It was my first time going to Gordon House and the Tainos Museum of the first Jamaicans," she said with much enthusiasm.
The summer programme, which was the first of its kind in the Kingston Central Police Division, was lauded by its sponsors who felt the outcome of the initiative had been a worthwhile investment.
Everton Morgan, senior manager, Jamaica National Building Society, one of the main sponsors of the programme said, "It was worth it, and when you hear the enthusiasm and the pride that the youngsters take in pointing out what they have done, and sense of achievement, you feel encouraged to be part of this initiative."
On the final day of the programme, participants were awarded with prize packages for outstanding leadership qualities.
Among the prizes were 'Easy Save' certificates from Jamaica National, which allowed participants to open savings accounts with $1,000 from the bank. There were 20 prize winners of these certificates.
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), the Gleaner Company and the Jamaica National Building Society were the main sponsors of the camp at the East Queen Street Baptist Church in Kingston.
