Three of Old Harbour Bay's Police Youth Club members, (from left) Althea Young, Eric Dixon and Kerida Reid. Members of the club have helped raise thousands of dollars to assist with community-upliftment projects in Old Harbour Bay. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Inside the marginalised fishing village of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, behind the zinc fences and board and concrete walls, vibrant young people are making a difference.

Placing their own miserable circumstances aside, do-gooders from the local police youth club have been making the time for the past three and a half years to pursue projects that improve the lives of young people like themselves and other community members.

Almost every weekend, they are on the streets begging for a benevolent cause.

They use their Saturdays to travel to Spanish Town and the Corporate Area, paying their own way most times, to stand in the streets with donation cans to implore motorists and pedestrians to give a contribution that will make a difference.

"Sometimes them wind up them window," said Kerida Reid who, though unemployed, doesn't allow rejection to break her spirit.

"All three pan mi a carry guh every Saturday an' mi naa lef till dem full," said 21-year-old Reid, laughing.

Labour of love

In the last three years, they have consistently assisted the community's basic school, which is run by the Baptist Church. When they can't contribute money, they assist with labour.

They only recently assisted with painting the school and just last month built a new bus shed to benefit the students.

"It feel good when you pass and see it. One day mi see rain a fall and di whole a di children dem jus' under it," said one of the club's founding members, 28-year-old Althea Young, who is also jobless.

They have also upgraded the post office, building new mailboxes.

Now they are raising funds for an elderly man in the area who, until quite recently, was homeless. The vibrant youths are currently seeking sponsorship from the Jamaica Public Service Company to help with building him a home.

Half-Way Tree trip

When The Gleaner caught up with a few of the youths, they were preparing for a trip to Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, where they would raise some more funds to assist with purchasing other necessities.

Raising funds on the streets has been getting a little more difficult these days, they believe, because of the economic crisis but that hasn't sapped their confidence.

"We cyaah always a get, we haffi give back," said Young, adding that the programme also helps keep youths out of trouble.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com