Inner-city groups unite in clean-up drive

MEMBERS OF the Trench Town community, students from the University of the West Indies (UWI), National Youth Service volunteers and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers came out in large numbers yesterday to participate in the Labour Day Project in Trench Town.

The activities centred on the restoration of the Vin Lawrence Park in the area. People working in small groups planted grass on the grounds which were first laid with top soil. Others, primarily students from the UWI, prepared a mini-football field. Large trees were also planted in select areas around the park.

Soldiers from the JDF, led by Chief-of-Staff Major General John Simmonds, mixed cement and paved a walkway leading into the park. The clean-up and restoration efforts were assisted by Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM), which provided a truck for the removal of debris from the location.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who arrived at the park at about 12:45 p.m., also made his contribution to the project by planting a number of trees. Mr. Patterson told the hundreds who gathered for the project that the country could no longer continue to ignore the needs of inner-city communities.

"This area has produced outstanding Jamaicans in every walk of life. They are still making contributions to the richness of national life in a variety of fields, particularly in sports and culture. They must be given every encouragement in doing so," he said.

The Prime Minister said every individual had a responsibility to ensure businesses, schools and churches in the community were kept clean.

"If each one makes a small contribution then the state of Jamaica will be transformed."

Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Omar Davies who also addressed the gathering, said he was pleased his constituency was selected for the national Labour Day project.

He said the community would be undertaking a number of projects in the near future including the revitalisation of the Sir Hugh Sherlock School. He said the school, which was scheduled to be reopened in the next school year, would be an extension to Boys' Town as well as a community training centre.

"We are committed to using South St. Andrew to show how the raw talent and initiative of inner-city areas can be utilised in a positive way for the betterment of these communities and the entire country," he said.

Dr. Davies welcomed visitors, adding his constituency was not a political garrison but an area where ordinary people were trying to make a better life for themselves and their children.

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