Nothing can stop youth with self-belief

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I OFFER my story as encouragement for each young reader to believe that they can achieve their goals through hard work and dedication, despite their economic, emotional or physical situations.

I am a 25-year-old young man, who is strong-willed and grounded in the faith of Christ, from the fishing village of Rae Town in Kingston.

The first born to both parents, my father has been a drug addict for most of my 25 years, and my mother was emotionally disconnected and unable to provide me with the basic necessities as a child.

Confused and without the paternal compass to give me a sense of self and manhood, I tapped into the power of mentorship through books, church and school.

Overcoming these obstacles wouldn’t have been possible without the warm embrace of, and encouragement from, my grandmother, who mothered and fathered me. She has been pivotal in making me the man I am today and my life will honour her sacrifice.

Today I’m a logistics professional as well as a youth representative for communities in and around central Kingston.

I encourage every young man who doubts that he can stand as an example because of where he comes from to abandon that limiting belief.

Give yourself a target to zone in on and commit focus and energy to achieving.

One goal is enough. Start working towards it. Raise your hand and your voice and ask for help, and be unflinching in preserving your morality and ethics.

Your story might be the one the world is waiting on. Live a life worth modelling.