Youth leader urges peers to reach out to others

Joseph Crichton, Youth Focus Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Twenty-two-year-old Shivaun McNeil is focused on contributing to community development through voluntarism as external affairs chairman at the University of the West Indies, Mona - Western Jamaica Campus in Montego Bay.

McNeil, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, told Western Focus that it is her mandate to identify outreach activities to be undertaken and encourage students to participate.

"We are looking forward to a Labour Day project (on May 23) at Farm Primary and Junior High where we'll be painting the outside walls of the school, along with the railings and doors and redoing the murals of the National Heroes.

"It's an intensive project. We wanted to undertake fixing the roof also, but with our lack of resources, we would have to rely heavily on external support and sponsorship.

"Nevertheless, it is something we intend to do at some point in my tenure," McNeil said.

PASSION FOR SERVICE

She says her passion to give service has allowed her to build a team which is focused on community development outside of academia.

"I love giving back to help community development. Volun-teering my time and service is an enjoyable experience. You have to have a certain zeal for working hard to help another person in need. Putting the needs of others before yourself takes a special kind of dedication," McNeil said.

She says being the external affairs chairman has helped her to be a more rounded student, making her more persistent in getting things done, more committed to teamwork, and to improve her communication skills.

"There are always positives you can gain as a leader, especially when you love what you do. As a group, we enjoy seeing the joy on the faces of people who we've helped. So I would definitely encourage persons to get involved in leadership roles. Don't shy away from it because it will have an impact on you and others you serve," McNeil said.