Sheena Gayle, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A resilient Flankers Community Development Centre has marched through turbulent circumstances to be one of seven community organisations shortlisted for the coveted Michael Manley Award for Community Self-Reliance.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) was established in Flankers, Montego Bay, seven years ago with the help of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to carry out a social conflict and legal reform project.

Not mediation alone

But mediation on its own, according to centre director Marilyn Nash, could not solve the problems of crime, poor parenting, teenage pregnancy, lack of education and employment and low self-esteem.

As a result, the centre was conceptualised and now plays an integral role in the community's development, peace management and violence-prevention initiatives.

"The centre is just not what goes on in the building but what we do in the community," Nash said. "It is owned by the community members who take an active part in every aspect of the centre's operation."

She added that the private sector and other government agencies such as the ministries of National Security and Health have also played a significant role in the centre's ability to execute its duties.

However, the NGO continues to experience challenges in raising funds, according to the centre director.

"We are always dependent on funding from wherever we can get it in order to continue our programmes. Despite this challenge, this committed volunteer envisions the centre as a model for other community centres in Jamaica," Nash noted.

Commended

Pastor of the Flankers Open Bible and Cornwall Division superintendent for the Open Bible Churches of Jamaica, the Reverend Glendon Powell, commended the efforts of social intervention by the centre. He, however, suggested the Church be involved in the process.

"I cannot overemphasise the importance of merging spiritual and social intervention to have a greater impact on the community. Some of the social programmes should be channelled through the Church," Powell said.