Helping Armadale girls rise from the ashes
Published:Saturday | February 8, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Valerie Dixon, Gleaner Writer
ACCORDING TO the report and findings of the Armadale enquiry, "The discharge of the tear gas canister into the dormitory was harsh and unnecessary. No use of such force, even in light of the insulting language used and the excrement thrown by some of the girls, should have attracted such a response. It was an unlawful use of force by the police force."
To say that the survivors of the Armadale fire were traumatised physically and mentally is to put it mildly as the girls were in state care because of prior difficulties.
In speaking with Marie Sparkes, the founder-director of Pure Potential, which is a team of behavioural scientists, she reminded The Gleaner that through her investigation into the young survivors' time in the state system, with its accompanying terrible conditions, their social challenges, history of sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, loss and abandonment, low self-esteem, along with low self-image, were never fully addressed during the time.
Most of the young women came from unstable living conditions and suffered physical and psychological abuse. Some were children when they were forced into prostitution and many were introduced to the use of violence as a defence mechanism. Many have since matured out of the system and are still experiencing these same conditions.
Sparkes, who was an invited guest at the Ministry of National Security's Unite for Change Forum, held recently, is of the view that the young women can improve their situations via a systemic structured healing approach for many of their presenting issues.
MENDING LIVES
In fact, the young women believe they can heal and empower themselves and others, and they were the ones who asked Sparkes and her team to help them mend their lives.
Sparkes said it was with much interest that her team attended the first meeting set up by the girls at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in June 2013 as the girls felt it was very important that they be taken seriously and be listened to as they recounted their experiences.
Since the first meeting, Pure Potential has consulted with several organisations and corporate companies to ensure a comprehensive package is offered to the survivors, including therapy, professional skills training, support to gain an independent 'life-after-trauma', and health-care education.
Pure Potential is committed to these young ladies and has devised a project to help them realise their potential and dreams which begins February 17 in Kingston and will roll out in Manchester, Runaway Bay, and Montego Bay in monthly rotations. To fully effect this specialist six-month intervention, the organisers need to raise $7 million or services to match.
Jamaicans from every walk of life can support this initiative by attending Step Up 4 Armadale fundraising events.
Contributions can be made to the Jamaica Association of Social Workers' accounts at the National Commercial Bank - #404109596; or Bank of Nova Scotia - #909223.
Survivors of Armadale who have not yet registered and wish to are invited to book their place. Sponsors and volunteers can assist by offering food items, time; or services related to adolescent development; transportation and by sharing ideas and information with the organisation.
Pure Potential can be contacted at 476-1724 or 506-1089 or 349-9825. Businesses are asked to support the programme by placing the poster with the information in prominent locations for customers to see.