Not giving up

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

At least one group of Jamaicans is not allowing the worsening economic crisis to quell their desire to help others.

The Guy's Hill Police Youth Club in St Catherine continues to work diligently to make a difference through community action.

"We are trying to enhance and mobilise the youths so that they can be more involved in community activities, and at the same time we want to get them involved in activities which will help them to gain exposure and ... information that is necessary for their development," Nickesha Reid, public relations officer of the club, told The Gleaner.

The club, which comprises about 40 youngsters, also takes special interest in improving its members' educational background.

"We are offering free CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) classes for the youths in the area because we realise some persons would love to be qualified for desired positions, such as teachers, but they cannot find the money to start classes, and we want to reach out to them in this way," Reid disclosed.

She said there were also plans to cover exam fees for the neediest individuals.

"We realised that the youths of the area have a lot of potential but the problem is that they just need help to show it," she said.

Volunteer tutors

The club recruited volunteer tutors from the community to teach the CSEC classes, with a total of 20 persons from the area already registered.

Reid said persons who do not want to pursue traditional academic studies will have the option of enrolling in a skill-training institution.

Additionally, the club is embarking on several outreach programmes in the area.

Ten individuals are set to benefit from a food programme.

Mario Moncrieffe, a club member, said the organisation had helped him to be a more rounded individual in society.

"The youth club has helped me to think more positively about the future and I am really thankful to them," said Moncrieffe.

He noted that he learned to become more responsible in society through weekly meetings and community activities.