Western Kingston revisited CITIZENS OF goodwill will always respond to the needs of people who are poor and defenceless. This was demonstrated quite recently when many persons sought to bring much needed aid to the people in the western end of the city. Arising from that recent tragedy, we are today confronted with a cadre of well-intentioned persons who became instant experts in community reformulation, oblivious of the fact that the successful development of communities does involve a theoretical framework, in which the people who are the beneficiaries, must be active partners in matters concerning their own advancement. The lesson to be learnt is that one should always hesitate, when faced with the tendency to recreate the wheel. We should remember that the duplication of efforts however well-intentioned, can waste scarce human and material resources, and give conflicting signals as to the real motive of one's intervention. In this regard, it must be admitted that the churches are very often culpable as they fail to demonstrate the current spirit of ecumenism when the context demands action which is co-operative and sustained. Community reformulation if it is to be developmental, must involve more than a willing heart. The complexity of problems if they are to be solved, require new patterns of team work, as well as new social interventions, collaboration, co-ordination, and interdependence between groups and organisations. The task at hand is well beyond the scope of any one group or denomination. We must begin by evaluating the issues and pooling our human and material resources. It is also crucial that team work must involve the elders, the middle-aged and the young in the affected communities. We cannot on our own, however well the intention, decide on the method of our intervention and the strategies to be implemented. One thing that is very often forgotten is the abundance of social services which exist in western Kingston. The area is well endowed with educational institutions, health, sports and cultural facilities. What is needed is economic support, a hospitable context, the creation of employment and a reduction in the rate of major crimes. There are many good things going for the area; the availability of water, electricity, transportation, nearness to ports and a cadre of young people just waiting to be creatively mobilised. What is needed today is vision and a developmental mix which will create a new person for a new age. Over the past few weeks our fellow Jamaicans have been visiting the area as if they are touring a foreign country, very often accompanied by tour guides and security personnel. They all end up expressing surprise at the poverty and inhumane conditions which have dominated the landscape of that part of the city from time immemorial. They all end with the promise of a rescue mission, and the creation of new projects. As one who has worked continually in the area for many years, I must affirm that despite the existence of problems, there are many good things happening in the area for those who are perceptive. Hope is being rekindled, communities are continually being challenged, and many of our youngsters in spite of the difficulties are being prepared for a brighter tomorrow. Let me give one example. Earlier this month I was presented with the results of the Grade 9 Achievement Test conducted by the Ministry of Education. At the Operation Friendship Centre on East Bell Road, 25 teenagers who sat the exams were successful out of a total of 27. They will take up their places this September at various Technical High Schools in the Corporate Area. Many of these students were designated as very slow learners and illiterates a mere two or three years ago. This was accomplished within a context where there were minimal teaching aids, and with teachers who are basically untrained. Imagine what could have been accomplished if this work could be consolidated and supported with adequate funding. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. The work has already begun. Workable strategies for the development of our people are in place. We need however to consolidate, expand and offer new visions for a sustainable future. Webster Edwards is executive director of Operation Friendship.
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