Young leader making change in inner-city community
Though he has spent most of his life being stigmatised for growing up in the inner-city community of Fletchers Land, 26-year-old Kimani Martin says he plans to bloom where he is planted by making a change in the lives of his community members.
He has embarked on a journey as president of the Fletchers Land Youth Motivators Club, which is aimed at getting young adults, especially young boys, off the streets and out of a life of crime.
“We partner with various entities in corporate Jamaica to get members of the community summer employment. When it is not summer, we try to find other skills-training programmes to engage the youths. Sometimes CSJP (Citizen Security and Justice Programme) will ask for youths from the community to come on board to learn various skill sets,” he said. “From time to time, I will call various entities to find out if opportunities are there for any of our young people or even call Heart Trust/NTA to find out what the programmes are they are offering to persons who are not going to school right now.”
POSITIVE IMPACT
To date, the initiative has been making a positive impact on the youths of Fletchers Land, with some of them earning permanent positions in corporate companies after their internships have ended.
Alyssa Grizzle, one of the club members who benefited from the initiative, told THE STAR that she was able to secure a permanent job as a business analyst at the Jamaica Public Service Company.
“He (Kimani) is such a good leader. I remember some mornings, Kimani did not have bus fare and he would walk go up to JPS just to go to HR on my behalf. Him never stop until they called Alyssa. I got a permanent position there in February this year. I am grateful for this programme,” she said.
Martin told THE STAR that there are plans to launch an ‘I am educated 2030’ initiative with the aim of assisting more community members to obtain CSEC and CAPE subjects.
“We want people to know that we have potential, and we are willing to rise out of the stigma and go above and beyond. One of our aims is to leave no opportunity for crime in our community.”