Alece Hansel, youth recipient for St Catherine, stands proud as she receives her award from Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. Hansel was recognised for services to her community, through education

St Catherine youth recipient of the Governor General's Achievement Award, Alece Hansel, was lauded for her extensive contribution to her community through education. Hansel, 24, was recognised for providing services to enhance social causes and community development in St Catherine.

Strathmore Gardens Children's Home and the Spanish Town Women's Infirmary are listed among the various outreach programmes where Hansel worked as a volunteer, while striving towards her goal to work in human resource management.

Hansel has reaped the fruits of her labour, despite being raised in difficult circumstances and facing tough challenges. Hansel told The Gleaner that facing adversity has made her stronger.

"Raised in the community that I am from, there are a lot of young people like myself," she said. "So, I want them to know that they can excel and, that no matter what environment you are from, you can excel and you can achieve".

Hansel said her achievements in life were possible through God, who she thanked for giving her the will to persevere.

Richard 'Father' Wates, senior recipient for St. Catherine, looks pleasingly at his award as the Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, congratulates him. Wates, who was born in Oaks Kent, England, has lived in Jamaica for more than 50 years, received his award for championing community efforts such as sustainable farming. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Richard Wates, or 'Father Wates', as members of the various communities he has worked in often refer to him, has facilitated the sustainable development of communities in and around St Catherine. Wates, senior recipient of the GGAA, St Catherine, said receiving the award was a "wonderful feeling".

Wates' experience in various professional capacities at the Jamaica Broilers Group and Kia Motors, among others, enabled him to share his expertise with locals, when he piloted chicken-rearing projects in the inner-city communities of Tawes Pen and Homestead.

The two projects have allowed members of these communities to generate revenue and become self-sufficient.

"I love people, they treat me with respect and love and I treat them with respect and love," Wates said, as he explained what motivates him to volunteer his time and effort to these endeavours. "So, when I get, I give".

Generosity is just one quality Wates has in abundance. He successfully raised more than $2 million towards refurbishing the Linstead and Spanish Town police stations. Wates continues to champion community projects and currently employs several persons from the community, in various capacities, to work on his farm in Linstead, St Catherine.

Youth recipient, Tanya Merrick-Richards, accepts her award from Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall.

Tanya Merrick-Richards, youth recipient of the GGAA for St Catherine, has been involved in community work for more than 10 years. Determined to make a difference in the lives of those in her community, Merrick-Richards has assumed a number of roles such as mentor, motivational speaker, educator and is a staunch supporter of youth advocacy.

"My commitment and the amount of work I have done has motivated others to volunteer their time for free," she said. "Many of them have gone on to university, and study social work, so, I would say, the participation and the commitment of the youth is there."

Merrick-Richards told The Gleaner she felt encouraged by the award, which she received for taking the lead on community initiatives such as the Youthlink Community Project. The project enabled persons to go into highly youth-populated communities and distribute information about adolescent development, HIV/AIDS, among other issues.

As a youth empowerment officer at the Ministry of Information, Culture Youth and Sports, Merrick-Richards insists that in any capacity in which she works, she uses her efforts to assist persons, as opposed to dictate to them.