Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
Despite the odds, all-age school dropout Rayon Leachman, has finally achieved his goal of becoming a policeman.
Mr. Leachman, who is from the inner-city community of Homestead in Spanish Town, dropped out of school at age 13 and found himself on the wrong path, being influenced by a gang and involving in a number of illegal
activities.
All was not lost, however, for the 19 year-old who has made an about turn with assistance from the People's Action for Community Transformation (PACT) Uplifting Adolescent Programme 2 (UAP2).
The UAP2, which is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has transformed the lives of approximately 29,971 at-risk adolescents islandwide through remedial education, personal development and vocational training.
EXCITED ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT
Speaking to reporters yesterday, after the UAP2 graduation ceremony, Mr. Leachman said he is excited about his achievements because he has managed to realise his goal in becoming a special constable. The ceremony was held at the Terra Nova Hotel in New Kingston.
He explained that he got involved in the programme after a man saw him loitering the streets and asked if he wanted to go back to school.
At first, he refused the offer but later decided to enrol in an all-age school. He was embarrassed because he could not read and later dropped out again.
Mr. Leachman said he then learnt of Children's First and that was where the transformation of his life began because he was comfortable with the environment.
In 2001, he entered Innswood High School in St. Catherine where he became deputy head boy and later head boy. Mr. Leachman graduated with five subjects, three at the Jamaica School Certificate Examination (level) and two at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) level.
PROUD OF HIMSELF
Another participant of UAP2, Leon McIntosh, has also benefited significantly from the programme. When he joined the UAP2, he was not reading but has now improved to reading at level five.
The 14-year-old, who is now a member of the prefect body at his school, told The Gleaner that he is proud of
himself because reading is "very important."
TALKING ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS
Guest speaker at the function , Karen Turner, mission director of USAID, said UAP2 has made significant strides in addressing the plight of young, at-risk adolescents. She charged the graduates to encourage school dropouts to get back in school by talking about their success.
