Odene David
Fifteen outstanding individuals from Middlesex received the Governor General's Achievement Award for that county on July 30 at the Kendal Camp Conference Centre. Today, The Gleaner presents the recipients for St Ann.
ODENE DAVID
Youth recipient, Odene David received his accolade for commitment to his community.
David told The Gleaner that he was elated and grateful for his win, which he believed will propel him to work harder with his community.
"Sometimes you feel discouraged because you can't see the benefits of trying to show people how to do things and showing them their purpose and how that will help them in society," he said.
"One of the things I feel good about is the persons I have tutored who have won scholarships and apprenticeships, so those things encourage me."
Societal gains
David has used his initiative to research sustainable and affordable electricity in his community, which has been facilitated by his studies at the University of Technology.
Appreciating the societal gains available to Jamaica through sustainable energy and fuel resources, David established a learning centre to sensitise residents to the efficient use of technology.
He has been awarded scholarships in maths and physics at the Brown's Town Community College and tutors others in their bid to obtain scholarships.
David said that academic excellence was important, but stressed that access to education should be affordable.
KEITH FOOTE
Keith foote
Senior recipient for St Ann, Keith Foote, is a strong advocate of community service and has played an integral role in mentoring many young persons.
Foote, who has previously won the Prime Minister's Award, told The Gleaner that although he was thankful for the governor general's accolade, recognition was not his motivation.
"I work with a lot of Jamaican people and bring groups to Germany and Europe and didn't realise that I was doing something that wasn't being done by a lot of people nearly 30 years ago," he said. "Whatever I do, I do it. I am not looking for any award or compensation. I appreciate it but I'm not going to go looking for it."
Community advocate
Foote helped pioneer community television in Jamaica, with the cable station Reggae Sun TV, a local television station which streamed live on the Internet.
Businessman, philanthropist and com-munity advocate, Foote has utilised his entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in the hospitality and tourist industry. He has taught others to develop trade skills and services that can generate economic advancement in the tourism sector. Some of his trainees are often poached by the hotels in the tourist-driven resort town of Ocho Rios.
Foote is head over heels in love with volunteerism. Among his most cherished initiatives is a campaign to increase HIV/AIDS awareness. He has also made contributions to the Paediatric Ward at the St Ann's Bay Hospital.
WINZEL BAILEY
Winzel Bailey
Growing up as a young boy, abuse was something St Ann youth recipient, Winzel Bailey, endured. Instead of becoming a victim of his circumstances, Bailey persevered and used his experiences to assist others in his community.
Work ethic has allowed Bailey to utilise his education, talent, faith and experiences to enrich the lives of others and emerge as a leader in almost every sphere of his life.
Bailey said that community ser-vice was therapeutic, citing interaction with persons as vital in enabling him to build on his self-esteem and help others to do the same.
Struggle emotionally
"Most of the people I work with are young, they struggle emotionally and educationally, so I become their friend," he said. "At this level, I find it the perfect way to get across to them."
Bailey told The Gleaner that he felt honoured and humbled by the award.
Currently employed as a customer service representative and branch ambassador at the Victoria Mutual Building Society in Ocho Rios, St Ann, he continues to interact with the community and participates in the organisation's community outreach programme.
