The JSIF-Integrated Community Development Programme (ICDP), Alternative Livelihood and Skills Development initiative has significantly enhanced the capacity development of several young people across Jamaica.

Young Javan Williams is a proud beneficiary of the programme and is now reaping economic gains from the knowledge gained in the area of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) principles.

Williams revealed that he discovered the programme at a time when he had fallen on bad times and was grappling with both emotional family-related issues and financial constraints, which eventually led him to being deregistered from a bachelor’s programme at The University of the West Indies. In expressing his dismay, he explained that “I was quite crestfallen at the turn of events in my life, compounded by the fact that I was no longer able to attend university”.

He further shared that for approximately one year, he was without a stable source of income and, occasionally, would be engaged in just doing odd jobs. Then suddenly, the tables turned when a family member introduced him to the JSIF-ICDP Alternative Livelihood and Skills Development programme, in which he enrolled.

Williams said that “this programme became a beacon of hope and has totally transformed my life in terms of the specialised training gained, which eventually led me to gainful employment. My journey of success started from being enrolled in the programme and graduating with a certification in general training in air conditioning at levels one and two from Carrier air conditioners.”

JSIF continues to invest significantly in community development by delivering several major projects and social intervention programmes which are vastly appreciated by its communities and beneficiaries. As a beneficiary, Javan humbly expressed his appreciation. “Today, I am truly grateful to JSIF for the opportunity to pursue this skills training programme, and I would like to encourage other youths in the various communities to capitalise on these lucrative skills training opportunities as they arise.” He also expressed thanks to the CAC Foundation for the job placement at CAC 2000 Limited, which is one of Jamaica’s leading distributors of technologically advanced air-conditioning equipment and parts from some of the world’s leading brands.

“After my internship programme, I was immediately offered full-time employment as a dispatcher. In my current role, I am engaged in several duties, including providing customers with quotations, procuring goods from local and overseas suppliers, assisting with the troubleshooting of air-conditioning units, as well as assisting with the preparation of technical reports,” he said.

Williams is passionate about his work and lives by the motto of his former high school, Wolmer’s Boys’, which states Age Quod Agis, – ‘Whatever You Do, Do It Well’. He also aspires to pursue further certifications as well as to return to university on a part-time basis while working.

Under the JSIF-ICDP, Alternative Livelihood and Skills Development initiative, approximately 1,734 young people have benefited. Some of the key skills areas covered were HVAC principles, customer service engagement, welding, film production, 3D animation, digital plumbing, landscaping, online entrepreneurship, event planning, as well as training in various areas for the blue economy. This sub-project was executed to develop capacity building and increase economic outputs for young people within their communities. Additionally, the programme was developed to provide alternative, non-traditional educational opportunities so that they can be inspired to become entrepreneurs.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), St James Division, and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) hosted approximately 100 children from the Salt Spring community in the parish at a three-week virtual literacy summer camp.

At the end of the three weeks, outstanding participants were hosted at a hybrid (online) award presentation and closing ceremony at the Montego Freeport Police Station.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The board of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has approved funding of $50 million for the evaluation and revision of the National Community Tourism Policy as well as the facilitation of a demand study.

Approximately $30 million will go to the evaluation and revision of the policy while $20 million will be used for the demand study.

Speaking at the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) II seminar at the AC Hotel by Marriott in St Andrew on July 29, Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney, said the undertakings are critical in supporting community tourism development in the country, particularly in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on the sector.

“While the community tourism policy was approved in 2015, we will evaluate that against the current realities, because we are in a new reality now from 2015,” he said.

Kemeisha Batchan, Project Manager of REDI II, noted that the demand study will help to better position “ourselves internationally, regionally and, of course, locally based on the trends in demand”.

Batchan said that it will also assist in developing the types of products and experiences needed to be able to meet the various tastes of the market.

She indicated that following the signing of the necessary contracts, consultants will be engaged for the undertakings.

The new Mount Salem Police Station in Montego Bay, which is a legacy project tied to the zone of special operations (ZOSO), which was declared in the St James community in 2017, was officially handed over by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday.

The new police station, which was funded by the European Union under the poverty reduction programme, was constructed at a cost of $45 million by the social investment fund. It features a reception area, a resource room, an exhibit room, an armoury, an interview room, two offices, a kitchen, and adequate bathroom facilities.

The Adelphi Police Station in St. James, which was rehabilitated at a cost of $47.3 million, has been officially reopened.

The facility was opened by National Security Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang at a ceremony held on Friday (July 9), on the station grounds.

The facility received infrastructural support under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Poverty Reduction Programme, through grant funding from the European Union (EU).

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the $534 million fire station being built on Barnett Street in Montego Bay, St. James, is on track for completion within the next two months.

The Minister, who toured the project on Friday (June 25) along with Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Managing Director, Omar Sweeney, and members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), told journalists that on completion, the new station will be the “most modern” in the Caribbean.

Mr. McKenzie said despite construction delays due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, “the contractors have been able to keep the project within budget.”

“So there is no overrun… and we will complete the project in a timely manner,” he stated adding that “the people of Montego Bay and the wider Jamaica will be proud of this investment.”

The facility’s construction, which commenced in June 2019, is being spearheaded by JSIF under its Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Programme.

When completed, the station will boast dormitory facilities to facilitate the seamless deployment of fire fighters across various shifts; and adequate administrative facilities and parking bays for trucks and other emergency vehicles.

Minister McKenzie said the Government remains committed to improving the conditions under which the JFB’s members work, through the upgrading of station facilities and provision of vital equipment.

“If we are asking the members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade to put their lives on the line, at least what the Government can do is to provide the proper environment for them to work in,” he maintained, while indicating that the Administration has spent close to $1.7 billion on new facilities for the JFB since 2016.

For his part, JFB Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Kevin Haughton, said the Brigade was satisfied with the progress of the project, noting that it would improve staff morale and enhance the efficiency of the fire service.

Deputy Commissioner Haughton further indicated that the new station had the capacity to accommodate some 250 firefighters and will “enable us to increase our female to male [ratio]… and that is something that we are very excited about.”

“We will also… be introducing a new service delivery… from the facility… which is the emergency medical service and that certainly will [bolster] the fire brigades operations,” he added.

Montego Bay Mayor, Councillor Leeroy Williams, who also toured the project, commended JSIF for its commitment to the resort city’s development, adding that “this structure will [further] enhance [that].”

Students and teachers of the Hall’s Delight and Westphalia Primary Schools in East Rural St. Andrew, now have access to modern sanitary facilities.

Under the School Sanitation Project, being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the pit latrines at the institutions were replaced with new five-seater sanitation blocks with flush toilets, at a cost of $25 million.