Bolt, VCB show patriotism on and off the track

Dennie Quill, Columnist

Two of Jamaica's most celebrated athletes have brought good news to the nation in recent days. First, Veronica Campbell-Brown launched her foundation to benefit young Jamaican women by providing resources to assist in their education and through mentorship.

Usain Bolt also announced that his foundation will team up with Chain of Hope Jamaica and Lady Allen, wife of the governor general, to raise funds for paediatric cardiac service at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Both gestures are praiseworthy, and Campbell-Brown and Bolt have demonstrated that they are shining lights off the field as on. They will go down in history as persons who have made a difference in the world, not only on the field of competition, but by changing lives and touching souls. One may even suggest that in this effort they are doing more than they could ever do on the field.

Both initiatives will respond to great societal needs, for education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and keeping our children healthy will ensure that they achieve the high expectations we have for the future generation.

The huge earning power of athletes has enabled many of them to become great philanthropists through various charitable foundations which have a diverse range of missions and goals. Hopefully, many others in sport will be inspired to do some good in their communities.

All of this got me thinking about the tremendous volume of altruism that flows to education and health projects across the length and breadth of this island. And one

wonders whether some of these institutions would ever be able to stay afloat without the charities and individuals.

system broken

The sad fact is that no matter how many donations and grants these institutions receive, it never appears to be enough to meet the needs of the people they are meant to serve. Surely, this points to a miserable failure of our governments to provide stable funding for our schools and hospitals. These institutions need to be properly staffed and equipped.

From all accounts, the cost of educating the nation's students has far outpaced the annual budgetary allocations. This contributes to the fact that students must try to eke out an education in overcrowded classrooms, often without proper books and study aids. No wonder we are turning out scores of illiterates. However, in uncertain economic times, we cannot neglect education. Nor can the powers that be sit back and expect some generous alumni or foundation to make an endowment. Basic education is a constitutional right for every child.

Could there be another reason why resources appear to filter so easily through the system? Could it be that there is less-than-efficient management of the resources, including donations that are given to some of these institutions? The time has come for stable funding for health and education. Politicians always talk about how they care about the children; ironically, when they make cuts in the Budget, it is the children who suffer. And what will happen to these children in future?

I sincerely hope the philanthropy of persons like Campbell-Brown and Bolt will save a few more young people from adding to the burgeoning population of security guards and vendors.

Dennie Quill is a veteran media practitioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.