THE EDITOR, Sir:

This is a letter to the prime minister, business personnel, in fact, everyone. There are many issues facing Jamaica at this moment; however, the most crucial one is crime, which is mostly created by idle hands. Those idle hands mostly come from the garrison communities. I have heard many solutions to the problem and none seems to be working. I would like to make a suggestion. However, before I do, let me first say that it is good to see so many different companies and individuals granting scholarships.

What I find is that those scholarships are mostly given to middle- and upper-class persons, whose parents can afford to send their children to school, some even attended prep schools. It is a fact that some women in the garrisons tend to have quite a, number of children, though they are unable to afford having one. We can't allow the children to suffer because of their careless parents.

Back to the issue at hand. There are a few children and young adults in the garrison communities who have the ambition, determination and drive to achieve. They only need monetary assistance, so I would suggest that persons visit garrison communities, talk to the young people, and try to offer some help.

There are many who have the qualifications to enter university but are unable to do so due to financial difficulties. There are also high GSAT achievers. Young adults in garrison communities need to be offered scholarships as well.

There is hardly anyone for the young and impressionable to emulate. If 20 young adults from each garrison community get scholarships to attend university, that's 20 role models for the others to emulate. Having a football and netball or basketball field and telling them to go play a game and unite just isn't cutting it. They need something more, like an education. Empower them please.

I am, etc.,

KERRIAN DOUSE

March Pen Road

Spanish Town

St Catherine