Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer
CREATING A culture of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and understanding, as a replacement for the culture of violence, was the emphasis at the MultiCare Foundation Sports Summer Camp 2K5.
The camp, held at its Breezy Castle Centre in downtown Kingston, was designed to use sports and the arts as catalysts for positive inter-personal relationships among inner-city youths from different communities. It provided 130 city children with a safe haven to learn sporting skills, and to make new friends in a secure environment, away from the dangers of idling on street corners.
"Everyone feels equal here, I feel good that they bring in inner city children, because the camp teaches you discipline," said 13-year-old Devon Williams, a participant and resident of Southside, Kingston, outlining his positive experience.
The camp ended with a closing and awards ceremony on Monday, at the Breezy Castle Centre, to highlight the achievements of the participants. The ceremony was attended by Don Anderson, first vice-president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), who told the sponsors that "investing in the youths of the country cannot be wrong; your money is well spent".
The awards presentation was highlighted by 15-year-old Jason D'Oyley and Venessa Smith, 14, both of whom captured the best overall performance awards for their discipline, cooperation, sportsmanship and mastering of all the sporting disciplines. The presentations ended with Janice Blake, coordinator of child programmes at the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, admonishing the young people to "take charge of your lives, and do not be distracted by the negatives around you".
