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“We are working on making people aware of their environment,
surroundings, preservation and safety of the resources,” he
said. “We encourage people to address the maladaptive sub-
behaviors.”

Also, he said, that there is a need to change preconceived
notionsacrosstheboard.“Wehavetofindawaytobuildcredibility
and encourage corporate Jamaica to look at people beyond their
addresses,” Sweeney added.

Leading JSIF is a proud legacy that he is carrying – building
on the well-grounded roots that have given him the leverage to
carry on the innings. “My predecessor was a social engineer,
and I am building on the foundations laid for the organization,
giving it a roadmap for the 21st century,” Sweeney said.

At the end of the day, no system is perfect, and according
to him, there are always going to be gaps and lacunae, it
is critical that ways and means are found around those
roadblocks.

“We will continue our investments in, peri-urban renewal
of Jamaica’s seven major urban centers including
Downtown Kingston, implement more disaster
vulnerability projects, rural development and remove
more primary schools from the shift system, which
allows the flexibility and ease of learning to students,” he
said.

His vision for the future is grounded in setting and achieving
realistic goals, the task at hand is always uphill, but with
good stroke-play, analysis, team-work and collaboration,
these are doable and achievable.

“In the next five years, I would like JSIF to create opportunities
for all Jamaicans in a way that significantly influences the
socio-economic landscape of Jamaica.” JSIF has come a long
way since its inception, and there is still a long way to go.

In the words of former Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid, who was
called ‘The Wall’, “We judge talent by people's ability to strike
a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing. That's the only thing
we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline,
temperament, these are also talent.”

Dravid’s words, in essence, sum up Sweeney’s style of
functioning, leadership and JSIF organizational goals, being a
part of the solution, and whatever you do, do it with style and
finesse.

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