Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Minister Clive Mullings' first visit to the Central Sorting Office on a familarisation tour on Thursday, October 11.

A solution to the country's escalating crime rate and its seeming decrease in morals, is to be faithful to the national motto, anthem and pledge, according to founder and executive chairman of Hands Across Jamaica, Yvonne Coke.

At the organisation's Jamaica Homecoming 2007 opening ceremony held at St. Andrew High School for Girls on Saturday, Coke told The Gleaner that if the nation's pledge and anthem were taken seriously it could wipe out garrison constituencies.

"Once we understand in our bellies, in our spirits, in our souls who we are as Jamaicans and this awesome gift that God has given us in the motto, anthem and pledge, we will never go back to killing each other," Coke commented.

MAP

Yvonne Coke, founder/executive chairman, Hands Across Jamaica talks with children who attended the Hands Across Jamaica for Righteousness Jamaica Homecoming 2007 opening ceremony and children's rally. The ceremony was held at the St. Andrew High School for Girls in St. Andrew, on October 13. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Referred to as the MAP (the motto, anthem and pledge), Mrs. Coke said that without partiality and mercy Jamaica's murder rate would not have surpassed the 1,000 mark.

"The MAP has power. It has power to renew our minds to begin to think in terms of what God thinks about you and to act in that way," she said.

Una Clarke, former New York City Councilwoman, echoed similar sentiments that the MAP holds some founding principles on which Jamaica is built.

"The schools should teach the MAP and this would really help our children to understand its meaning," Mrs. Clarke said, noting that the teaching of civics in institutions could also assist in improving the level of morals and values.

Several children, present at the ceremony, were charged by Coke to fulfil a purpose of rebuilding Jamaica.

The work of Hands is being supported by several corporate entities such as National Commercial Bank, Digicel, Air Jamaica and Market Traders Institute Inc. Jamaica Homecoming celebrations continue tomorrow (Tuesday) with a workday at John Mills All-Age School at 8:00 a.m., and a praise and worship seminar at Hope Fellowship Church, commencing at 6:00 p.m.

World Post Week Church Service, which was held on Sunday, October 7.