A child is accompanied by an adult as she walks through a section of Red Dirt, in Flankers, St. James, on Friday, May 5. Lined with zinc fences, this section will be a part of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund's (JSIF) Inner-City Basic Services Project, which will include a zinc fence replacement exercise. - CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE COMMUNITY of Flankers, in St. James, is set to undergo major infrastructure development thanks to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund's (JSIF) multi-billion Inner-City Basic Services Project (ICBSP).
One of the 12 communities to undergo development under Jamaica Social Investment Fund's (JSIF) US$ 29 million (J $ 1.8 billion) project, Flankers has already started to experience its effects.
"Flankers will be benefiting from the construction of a community centre, road rehabilitation, micro-financing, social intervention programmes as well as removal of zinc fences and widening and paving of footpaths so that they are more accessible," said Ms. Paulette Dixon, JSIF's ICBSP community organiser.
"Some of the social intervention has already started in terms of training with HEART and Social Development Commission (SDC) so that the residents can actually see some work being done."
President of the Flankers Com-mittee Development Committee (CDC), Marilyn Nash, has joined the majority of the members in welcoming the new development.
"It is a good idea and if it comes through it will be a great benefit to the community," she said. "It will enhance our community's infrastructure and will allow for help in social development because a number of buildings, such as a community centre, will be included in the package and will aid in the social development of the community."
MORALE BOOSTER
"It will also boost morale, both on the individual level as well as on the community level," she continued. "One of the problems in the community is low self-esteem and if your surroundings are looking good I am sure you will think better of yourself and your community."
Once seen as one of the more volatile communities in Montego Bay, Flankers has undergone a series of changes over the past few years.
With the introduction of the Peace and Justice Centre in 2002, the community has seen a drastic reduction in domestic and other violent crimes due to training of several of its residents in mediation. The Peace and Justice Centre also doubles as a homework centre complete with Internet facilities to assist children in the community.
