Hundreds Participate in Jamaican Labour Day projects
Jamaicans from all walks of life collaborated to work on several community projects in observance of Labour Day, today (May 23).
Labour day is observed on May 23 every year, with this year’s theme being “ Lend a hand… Build our land”.
Numerous projects were organised by state and private institutions.
Today’s work included cleaning up, beautification, painting and repairs to many facilities at schools, health centres, police and fire stations, homes for the indigent, among other places.
Despite pre-dawn rain, scores of volunteers turned out to participate in the National Labour Day Project – the St. Mary Infirmary in Port Maria- which received a major facelift.
Culture Minister, Lisa Hanna; State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government Colin Fagan; and Port Maria’s Mayor, Councillor Levan Freeman, headed the wide cross-section of persons who worked at the institution.
The work included painting of the buildings, tiling, planting of several crops, erection of a fence, installation of a solar system, and general landscaping of the premises.
Ms. Hanna said the turnout was reflective of the theme for this year’s Labour Day activities.
Said she was pleased with the high level of support by the various public and private sector entities, as well as residents.
Meanwhile Mr. Fagan said he, too, was heartened by the turnout of volunteers, not only in St. Mary, but at other projects across the island.
The infirmary houses 82 residents, aged 40 to 92 years, and has 15 employees.
And, representatives from the St. Catherine Parish Council, members of several civic organisations and residents of Spanish Town turned out today to clean up the Spanish Town market.
As part of the Labour Day activities, the volunteers washed areas of the market, painted and repaired the sanitary conveniences.
Chairman of the St. Catherine Parish Council Norman Scott says today’s activities were also made possible through assistance from a local financial institution and a telecommunications company.
The volunteers also removed truckloads of garbage from the market, to include old furniture and other fixtures.
Executive Director of the NSWMA Jenifer Edwards, expressed surprise at the amount of garbage in the market, despite regular collection by the entity’s trucks.
In other areas of St. Catherine persons were observed working on roadways, repainting pedestrian crossings and carrying out beatification, and landscaping works.
And, members of the Correctional Department visited the Strathmore Gardens Place of Safety where they gave the facility a face-lift and treated the children.
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