This left me in a state of shock. "But for the grace of God goeth I," I said to myself. I, too, had attended Wolmer's Boys' School. This could have been me. Every day I meet young people like this - bright, talented, but yet without the hope of getting a job.
Our young people are hopeless, helpless and hapless; they are not lazy. If given the opportunity, they will work. Granted, many of them have not acquired work ethics as they have not worked for many years. We need to give them hope.
Our young people are hopeless, helpless and hapless; they are not lazy. If given the opportunity, they will work.
Time for a massive training programme
If this country is to move forward, we must create opportunities for our young people. There are many of them with talent who need to be appropriately trained to access jobs opportunities out there.
But, even more disturbing is the fact that there are many more young people who are functionally illiterate, unemployed and unemployable. There are many job opportunities in overseas programmes, in tourism and on cruise ships but our people must have the appropriate skills to access these jobs.
Stop fighting crime, start building communities
We have been spending a lot of money and time on fighting crime and the results so far are disappointing. Let us stop placing emphasis on fighting crime and instead effect strategies to build our communities.
For too long, we have neglected inner-city communities; we need to start rebuilding those disorganised, crime-infested, neglected communities. The investments will pay off in the long run.
Put new governance in communities
The worst thing that happened to our country was when we allowed dons to take over communities. Many of these dons are involved in illegal activities and they have imposed an irregular system of governance on many communities.
The research has shown that, in order to transform a community, the first step must be to remove these dons. This was effectively done in the Grants Pen community and was a major factor in its transformation. Our politicians must separate themselves from the dons. They need to be more decisive and pull themselves and this country away from the cruel claws of these wretched men.
Enforce law and order
We need to create an enabling environment in this country to facilitate growth and development. No society can transform itself if it is perpetually in a state of lawlessness and disorganisation.
Our environment is very disabling. It is one in which the rule of law is thwarted as people are allowed to play loud music as they please; to urinate in public spaces whenever the need arises, to smoke marijuana (ganja) in public spaces and to litter without regard for the environment. These actions make the society backward, uncivilised and disorganised.
Reward the good Jamaican
As a society we have forgotten who is a 'good citizen'. We need to embark on a programme that rewards the good citizen and 'big him up' so that others may see him or her as a role model.
The current Government must be commended in its thrust to transform this society. We wish them all the success, but we hope they will show the guts to take the hard decisions needed to carry through the transformation process.
Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head, Section of Psychiatry, Dept. Of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
