Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer
BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
ST. ELIZABETH, regarded as the nation's breadbasket, could soon receive a significant boost, if Senator Kern Spencer's vision materialises.
Speaking with key stakeholders in the parish, Senator Spencer, the new People's National Party caretaker for North East St. Elizabeth, outlined his vision for youth development in the constituency, at a recent meeting at the Santa Cruz Community Centre.
COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE
He wants to transform the old community centre into a "state-of-the-art, one-stop centre".
He said, "On the bottom floor, I want a youth information centre. I see where young people from across the parish will be able to come and receive counselling and guidance and career development, access the Internet, as well as opportunity for residents in the parish."
He also noted that the facility already had an Olympic-size swimming pool, football field, cricket pitch, and basketball court. These, he said, require only minor repairs to make the facility into a sports centre.
Lamenting the level of unemployment in the parish, he declared, "The constituency of North East St. Elizabeth has some 12,000 young people under the age of 35 and approximately 60 per cent of them are not gainfully employed."
BID TO DECREASE ILLITERACY
Cynthia Hill of the Social Development Commission said her organisation stood ready to work with the persons involved to make the project a reality, as it will serve to decrease the level of illiteracy in St. Elizabeth.
Also speaking at the meeting was the director for the National Centre for Youth Development, Ohene Blake, who announced that the agency was definitely on track to provide financial support for the project.
