Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer
Nurse Olive Richards (right) measures the height of a young patient at the 'Back to School Medical', held at WROC's offices, 47 Beechwood Ave. - CONTRIBUTED
A UNICEF report showed that 430 children were shot and more than 900 were victims of sexual abuse in Jamaica during 2004.
These and other frightening statistics related to the treatment of juneviles have prompted initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment Programme, a branch of the Women's Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) and the Coalition for Community participation in Governance.
The programme began in 1998 under the mandate to foster personal development among youths between ages 8 and 18, by teaching anger management and training them in the areas of adolescent sexual practices, reproductive health and leadership development.
TARGET GROUP
Since its inception the WROC, located at 47 Beechwood Avenue, has through this programme targeted the 'youth' of the Lyndhurst/Greenwich community of Kingston.
"The Lyndhurst road and Greenwich Farm communities have always been separated by gang warfare, and so we want to change this situation by challenging the young people about the future", said Anneta Pinto, programmes co-ordinator. She added that whenever there is uprising between 'Top Lincoln' and 'Bottom Lincoln', (areas within the borders of the Lyndhurst and Greenwich communities), not even the children are immune to the hostilities.
PRIVILAGES
The programme, which is funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), also allows participants access to the community centre to discuss and develop ideas to maintain the programmes' vibrancy.
On August 19, the youth club hosted a closing ceremony for summer camp 2005, which was held under the theme, 'Creating a Brighter Future through Positive Self Expression' at the Student Union of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus.
"The camp was held here due to the ongoing violence back in the community," explained Stephany Hutchinson, manager of the WROC. She said the camp went very well and the children have given positive feedback.
