Nicholas Richards, Gleaner Writer
OVER 250 children from the various communities of the Kingston Eastern Police Division, turned out in droves Tuesday morning for the opening ceremony of the division's annual summer school programme.
The theme of this year's summer school is 'Youth Our Future'. The programme, which officially got under way on Monday at the division's headquarters on Elletson Road, will last for another two weeks.
Coordinator of the summer school programme, woman Corporal Tomielee Chambers, said over the past 10 years the programme has bridged the gap between the citizenry and the police, especially residents from some of the violent inner-city communities.
"Since its inception, this community outreach initiative has seen remarkable improvements in the relationship between the police and the residents," said Corporal Chambers.
MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES
Representatives from the Ministry of Health have been invited to lecture the children on important issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The students will also be addressed by persons from the Conflict Resolution Centre and the Narcotics Division.
A number of the children were upbeat about the programme and seemed ready for the two-week course.
"I want to learn to conduct myself in a proper manner and also to show my skills in learning and to express my potential (within) this short time,'' said 13-year-old Renee Binning, who attends Alpha Academy.
Shanique Robinson, also 13, of Vauxhall High expressed her desire to hone better inter-personal skills between her peers, the police and herself.
Other persons who participated in the official opening of the programme were Assistant Commissioners Leon Rose of the Community Relation Division, and Gilbert Kameka of Area Four headquarters. Also present was businessman Sameer Younis of Fabrics De Younis.
