The Editor, Sir:

As a graduate of the UWI and a very patriotic Jamaican who feels I have a contribution to make in the further development of Jamaica and the region, at large, I welcome the utterance made by the Governor-General of Belize, Sir Colville Young. The G-G urged graduates of the University of the West Indies, (UWI), Mona, last week to 'remain in the region and contribute to its development, staying and serve for Caribbean lives and people'.

Like myself, many of my colleagues share this view. However, how can we contribute when we have very little means if any to sustain ourselves, when many of us are unable to find work and hence continue to be supported by our parents. The unemployment line continues to grow. Many graduates have become hopeless, and while many should be happy about their accomplishments they are instead left with more insecurity than before.

Loans

A large percentage of tertiary level students were only able to further their studies as a result of loans obtained from the Student Loan Bureau. It is now time to start the repayment process, which many can ill-afford without a job. It is imperative that government creates the environment to foster investment and by extension employment; hence we will continue to lose the region's brightest to more developed countries. And many of us leave not because we want to, but student loan must be paid. Many of us have also been awakened to the fact that our parents having spent so much money on us, it is now our time to take care of our siblings and our parents who have now retired.

Life becomes difficult

For those persons already in a job, many have discovered that life has become more difficult, as persons within their workplaces having realised their accomplishment, have become less than kind. Hence instead of taking us under their wings and offer guidance they view us as the enemies, who want to take their jobs away from them. Alas the character assassination has begun.

We are cognizant of the fact that we have been schooled by taxpayers' dollars and we stand indebted to these persons and country, however, we are of no use to both if we are not able to sustain ourselves and by extension make our contribution to the development of this beautiful region.

A people are powerless without economic power. Economic power can only be sustained through investments; therein lays the path to our contribution to the region. We therefore stand ready to serve while we ask that the environment be created in order for us to do so.

I am, etc.,

CHERYL DWYER

cheryl.dwyer@uwimona.edu.jm