Sticking to the mission - Jones Avenue Cadets renovate base

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

TURNING UP early on Thursday morning, members of the Jones Avenue Community Cadet Corps listened carefully to the instructions of their leaders before eagerly starting renovating their office in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

While some cut grass and cleared the yard, others engaged in more technical stuff such as carrying out repairs to the plumbing system. Most opted to try their hand at painting - learning on the job for the most part.

Encouraged by a visit from a top-level police team, which lauded their efforts, members were tired but happy when Rural Express visited.

Having secured a long-term lease for the building, theirs is the daunting task of renovating it and bringing it up to a more acceptable standard for the many plans they have. These include operating a homework centre and community meeting place; but with little financial resources, they still have a long way to go.

That is because Jones Avenue has the distinction of being the only community-based cadet corps in the island, and, they claim, the Caribbean as well. This means they are not affiliated with the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF), whose units are all attached to a high school and are affiliated with the Ministry of National Security, which provides uniforms, training, and meets financial needs.

While the JCCF is the template for the community group, there are major differences. With the exception of two groups, the Independent Unit and Band and Drums, which are based at Up Park Camp, St Andrew, all JCCF units are attached to a school, with members recruited between the ages of 13 and 16.

Recruitment

Upon graduating, they may then apply, upon turning 18, to join the adult section of the force. If successful, they then go on a two-week residential training camp outside of the Corporate Area, with follow-up training on weekends.

While modelling itself on the JCCF, the ranking structure of the Jones Avenue Community Cadet differs largely, with recruitment starting at age five and financing for uniforms coming from fund-raising efforts.

This has made the task of training and equipping members very hard; but encouraged by the positive impact they are having on members, as well as the Jones Avenue community at large, this community-based organisation is committed to sticking to its mission of being a beacon of hope for other inner-city communities - even if it has to go it alone.

- C.S.