Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
GraceKennedy president and CEO Douglas Orane (left) adresses the 2007 Jamaica Birthright interns at their welcome reception at Trafford Place, New Kingston, last Tuesday. The programme targets university students of Jamaican heritage who get to work for two months within the GraceKennedy group and learn more about Jamaica first hand.

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Dressed, for the part and looking très smart, the six participants in GraceKennedy's Jamaica Birthright programme were welcomed last Tuesday by company executives and sponsors.

The Birthright programme was started in 2004 and targets third-generation Jamaican university students in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. The students will work in companies across the GraceKennedy Group.

President and CEO of GraceKennedy, Douglas Orane, welcomed the interns and thanked the managers from the various entities in the GraceKennedy group for volunteering to take the six under their wings.

The interns

Amber Martin from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saw the programme as a way to locate her roots.

"I wanted to connect with my culture because I've always considered myself Jamaican. Some people say 'you're not Jamaican'. I hope to solidify how I've always felt." Her father hails from Falmouth and her maternal grandparents from Mandeville.

"I'm just looking forward to confirming everything I've heard about Jamaica. Also, being a business major, it is important for me to see how other businesses abroad are run," she said. Martin will be working with the marketing arm of Hi-Lo Food Stores.

Anthony Morgan who hails from Toronto, Canada, but whose father is from May Pen, is awed by what he's seen so far.

"I love the people and just the experience of meeting different Jamaican people from all levels. There is this stigma that we're all weed smokers, especially the men. If the trip was to end now, my life has changed," he says. Morgan said he will be doing legal work with the group's corporate secretariat.

Rotations

Of the other interns, Nathan Campbell, from the United Kingdom, will have two rotations: first at Jamaica International Insurance Company and also at Allied Insurance Brokers; his countrywoman Stacy Moore will work with the Grace and Staff Foundation helping slow learners; Amerita Lue-Hing, originally from New York, will be based at GraceKennedy Remittance Services, and Harvard student Marilyn Hylton will conduct the GraceKennedy foundation's annual computer camp.

The interns will not only be learning the ropes of local business but will also enjoy some of the local entertainment, including this year's Sumfest and trips to popular vacation spots. Each trainee will also do articles for The Gleaner's Youthlink magazine, as well as meet various dignitaries, during their stay.