This computer centre being built by residents at the entrance to Windsor Heights is expected to help many schoolchildren with assignments. - Photos by Mark Beckford

Personal versus public responsibility always arises when residents request services from government officials. This is more so when these requests originate from informal communities, which conjure the stereotype of idle hands waiting for the limited arms of the Government to stretch to them.

However, residents of Windsor Heights, St Catherine, want anyone with that image of their community to discard it. Instead, they want to project an image of a community filled with industrious individuals who want nothing but basic amenities and opportunities that other Jamaicans enjoy.

Delroy Anderson, 28, is one such individual who has decided he has no time for idling on the corner. Four years ago, Anderson approached his member of parliament, Sharon Hay-Webster, for assistance to start a grocery store. Today, he says the retail and wholesale facility is doing vibrant business, and has expanded.

"I have operated this shop for four years now. So far the business is good and it is growing. I now have a small plaza with a jerk stand, barber shop and a grocery store," he told The Gleaner.

Identity path

Anderson is one of many Windsor Heights residents who have taken the path of self-empowerment and reliance.

In the community, better known as Sufferers' Heights, there are vehicle-repair joints, water-trucking businesses, ceramic and pottery shops, welding spots, chicken rearing, jerk stands, variety retailers and barber shops.

Devon Turner is another resident who has his own thriving business. A welder, Turner displayed several projects that he has worked on. His iron-wrought products are proof of his artistic flair.

"My business is doing good, you know. I have been doing this for a while now and the response has been very good. People as far away as Florida have requested some of my products and I have sold it to them, " he told The Gleaner.

Besides these businesses, the community has tried to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship through the Windsor Heights Small Businesses Group. The organisation, which was formed in May 2008, is now spearheading several projects.

These include clay and pottery manu-facturing, concrete block making, household manufacturing and graphic designing, among others.

Its latest project is a computer centre, which is now being constructed at the entrance of the community.

Way of the future

The visionary behind the concept is graphic designer André Johnson. He conceived the idea for the centre when he visited the community of Palmers Cross, Clarendon, and saw a similar project. Johnson then collaborated with the head of the small-business group, Cyril Henry, to make an application through the European Union-sponsored Private Sector Develop-ment Programme for a grant and advice.

The men started work on the facility in the second week of September and expect it to be completed by year end.

"Right now, technology is the way of the future. It's the best way to get the youth's interest; we have to set up something we know they will be interested in," explained Henry.

"Also, we have a school nearby, and this will help them with their homework if they wish to browse the Internet, print or photocopy a document. Since it's a community-based project, members will pay a fee of $100 to browse."

Despite residents' progressive agenda, unemployment is still a major challenge.

According to a community profile of Windsor Heights done by the Social Development Commission in 2007, unemployment stands at 39.23 per cent.

Henry wants that trend to end.

"My concern is to get the youths occupied so their minds do not degenerate," he said. "When you have nothing to do, you know, you think all kind of foolishness. You are likely to pick up a gun because you have nothing to do.

"We don't want them to rob, we don't want that in the community," Henry added.

Anderson believes that in order for youths to become employed gainfully, the Jamaican system of favouritism, nepotism and 'contacts' must be replaced with a merit-based one.

One of his suggestions is for Prime Minister Bruce Golding to spend some time in the community.

"Me want the bigger heads come in for two days on the corner, like the youths, and see how we really feel ... . We want them to see how we really live, how food go to our belly," said Anderson.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com

The Windsor Heights Community Centre.

A photograph of the handiwork of welder Devon Turner.