These young people gesture enthusiastically as they sang yesterday at Webster Memorial Church, Half-Way Tree Road, St. Andrew, where the aims of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme were outlined. MORE THAN 2,000 young people from various inner-city communities, clubs, schools and the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, are vying for gold, silver and bronze medals in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
"This figure could increase to 4,000 or 5,000 within the next two years, because this weekend alone (Saturday & Sunday) we housed 100 youth at Up Park Camp, training them to become good leaders," said Colonel Stacy Thompson of the Jamaica Defence Force.
He was speaking yesterday at a special church service held at Webster Memorial Church, Half-Way Tree Road, St. Andrew. The programme is designed to develop more quality youth leaders in the island, teach them how to become self- motivated, create job opportunities and help in their personal development.
"Participants will win awards depending on the volume of work they have done in the areas of community service, expedition, skills training and physical recreation," Col. Thompson said.
He explained that the individuals would amass points over several months and for several projects. The winners will be announced at a special function in November.
The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, in existence since 1956, was started by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Lord Hunter, and a medical doctor from the United Kingdom. The programme is in place in 104 countries and involves more than four million youngsters.
Jamaica's programme is funded by corporate sponsors headed by John Issa and a group of trustees.
