Guinness hosts adult education programme

"There's a drop of greatness in all of us." Guinness, the world's leading stout promotes this idea in its latest ad campaign. Across the world, the brand has partnered with many worthy causes and several social organisations that have benefited thousands in an effort to nurture this greatness.

In Jamaica, the same is true. Seaview Gardens in Kingston is the recipient of Guinness' most recent outreach. Residents of the community are being given an opportunity to undertake an adult education programme. According to Guinness Brand Manager Racquel Nevins, the objective is to positively impact community members.

"Seaview Gardens' adult literacy programme hasn't been in operation for a while. We hope that this grant will aid in its reintroduction. Literacy is of utmost importance to community development and self-growth," Nevins said.

The programme will run for six months and is being administered by Value Added Services. Sixty-five persons are expected to benefit from the initiative. Incentives will be provided in the form of partial scholarships, which will be granted to participants who may wish to further advance themselves academically.

Twice weekly classes

Training will be offered in the areas of business, grooming and etiquette, customer service, building trust and respect and effective communication. Classes are held twice weekly at the Christ the Redeemer Human Resource Centre. The participants will be assessed in the first two weeks and broken out into groups so that their needs can be appropriately addressed. For these classes, software and other learning materials will be provided to aid in the learning process.

Fabian Brown, president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association, currently works on projects in the Seaview community and has been instrumental in the implementation of the programme.

Brown along with entertainer Rodney Price, also known as Bounty Killer, chose the recipient of Guinness' donation. The entertainer was voted as Guinness' top dancehall icon through a search to find the top 50 dancehall DJs in celebration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence.

Part of Bounty Killer's award was a donation of $500,000 to a charity of his choice. The Seaview Gardens Project will benefit from these funds and the tutoring and mentorship of Guinness executives.

Upon completion, participants will receive certification and start-up grants will be offered to those who show that they have an implementable business venture.

"Along with the grant, these participants will receive continued mentoring," Nevins said.