Trelawny projects get funding
Twenty-three Social Development Commission (SDC) projects in Trelawny were last week selected to benefit from a $50million grant, which was approved by grant funding organisations for projects operated by the corporation.
The projects fall under seven programmes within the SDC.
Paula Barrett, the SDC parish manager for Trelawny, explained the basis on which the successful groups, who are all registered and involved in the various communities throughout the parish, were selected.
“The Sawyers Group is involved in an apiary project, which is revolving,” said Barrett. “There is a market for honey both locally and internationally. This augurs well for the community and gives hope to youngsters as a source of future employment.”
Fifteen individuals and seven community organisations from Hanover were recently recognised and awarded for their continued voluntary service and contributions to their communities by the Social Development Commission (SDC).
The award ceremony, held at the Sky Beach Restaurant and Bar in Hopewell, is the third annual Community Incentive and Grants Programme awards held in the parish by the SDC.
The programme seeks to increase participation in local governance by establishing and building the capacity of community organisations to participate in decision making at all levels.
The Cops, Pell River, Mt Peto, and Cacoon community development committees, along with the Dolphin Head Trust, the National Youth Service, and the Hanover Municipal Corporation, were among the organisations honoured.
The toast of the individual awards was Derrick ‘Teasy’ Wright, who was named Caribbean Hotel Association’s Supervisor of The Year and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Employee of The Year.
Wright, an employee of the Tryall Club, is the current president of the Hopewell Citizens Association, while also serving in a voluntary capacity in some five
“The Wire Fence Group is involved in piggery. There, the Spence twins, John and James, who have been involved with the SDC for over 15 years, are the persons overseeing the project,” continued Barrett.
“In Duanvale, $13 million has been awarded. The recipients plan to go into the Cockpit Country to become architects in reforestation and to establish a greenhouse on the compound of the primary school there,” she added.
Shermet Jones, who was recognised for her 25 years of involvement in youth club activities, said that volunteerism is a trait in her family.
“I started out by following my brothers to sporting events and just doing whatever I was asked to do,” said Jones. “That spirit has not left me, and it is a part of me going forward. Even my mother at 80 years old still volunteers.” other organisations in the community.
Guest speaker, Pastor Jevon Daley, lauded the awardees, noting that volunteering was not simply something done so as to profile, but should be done because the volunteer sees a need and wants to do something about it.
“We have come to understand that what we do deserves compensation, what we do deserves payment, but the reality is we must learn to do some of the simple things (volunteerism) because we know it is right, it is just, it is needed, and persons depend on us,” said Daley.
Mashario Bisasor, Hanover’s SDC parish manager, said that so far this year, the SDC had approved project grants nationally for approximately 285 community groups at a total value of J$11 million.
The grants are for four main areas: economic development, social projects, capacity building, and administrative support for community development committees.