Sir Patrick believes in Jamaica's future
Published:Friday | May 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
In a message trumpeted since his inauguration in 2009, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen has called for strategies and partnerships to save Jamaica from negative influences that are threatening to take over the country.
The governor general's call came amid the concerns that Jamaica has been facing grave socio-economic challenges that have helped to fuel unemployment, crime and illiteracy.
"Jamaicans are hurting ... financially, socially, mentally and spiritually … . It is necessary that we recognise fully our predicament in order to commit ourselves to a way of escape," Sir Patrick said at his inauguration in 2009.
With fervent optimism for opportunities and possibilities for the Jamaican people, Allen has created the 'I Believe Initiative' (IBI) with the vision to create pathways through partnerships and to promote programmes that will restore sound values and attitudes in the Jamaican family, youth and education.
Last January, the IBI formed a committee comprising public- and private-sector representatives to review the stated concerns and develop plans of action to address specific areas of national life through targeted initiatives.
The IBI committee began to address three main priorities including the Glenhope Place of Safety through a mentorship programme. It involves tutoring teen girls in CSEC subjects. Mentorship is also being provided for young men in one of the island's juvenile detention facilities. Two of these wards are now college students.
breakfast meeting
The IBI was also successful in hosting a breakfast meeting of all the service clubs and uniformed groups with the mandate given to devise a plan to achieve greater coordination of efforts and to develop a clear communication line between the groupings.
"We must engage the youth and adapt to a changing world and the maturing consciousness of our young people. We must believe in them, train them, and have the faith that they will not betray the values of fairness, morality and justice that we have instilled in them," Sir Patrick has said.
The IBI agenda for 2011 includes the launch of the programme scheduled for next Thursday at King's House. The IBI launch will seek to get more young people enrolled in clubs and societies that will foster and promote youth organisations and provide leadership for these organisations.
The launch of the IBI will feature a video presentation of persons who have been inspired by the inauguration speech of His Excellency and have enacted programmes and projects at their own personal expense, so as to improve the lives of other Jamaicans.
Consultant to the governor general and coordinator of the IBI programme, Nicholas Chambers, said the main aim of the launch is to inform the nation of what the IBI is and its agreed objectives.
"We are using what is right with Jamaica to fix what is wrong with Jamaica. We aim to assist in building the confidence of individuals, particularly our youth and to lead a campaign through strategic partnerships to inspire all Jamaicans, as well as to recognise, affirm and assure projects and programmes that reflect the theme and the objectives of the IBI," Chambers said.
donating to bustamante
Following the launch, the IBI will be donating colouring books to the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
Also on the agenda for the IBI is a series of 'I Believe' Youth Consultative Conferences scheduled for the three counties, to be held on October 6, 13 and 27.
A national conference is also scheduled for February 2012 to recognise the IBI's anniversary.
The IBI, through its partners, will also establish wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) in mainly rural communities across Jamaica. Chambers said the urban areas are already inundated with Internet access, while there are rural communities that are left out.
Also, the initiative will be looking to promote membership in youth organisations that share the 'I Believe' values and principles.
"We want to secure a behavioural change among our youths. There are 150,000 unattached youths and we want to decrease that. We want the youths to become involved in meaningful activities and manage their time more effectively," Chambers said.
Sir Patrick, the former head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, has also called for the religious community to use its moral authority to lead the charge to transform Jamaica.