Is the Jamaican Government REALLY Listening to the Diapsora?
I tuned in to Fresh Start on News Talk 93 sometime ago and heard a guest lament the probability that 50 percent of staff in state care homes are untrained, unprofessional and oftentimes mete out physical abuse to vulnerable “wards” (hate that word!!!)
Between 2012 and 2015, as Director of Children and Young Persons Services Ltd. in the UK, I offered, to the Ministry of Youth / Culture and Child Development Agency:
-FREE of charge, a safe haven to accommodate 10 -15 young females while the Child Development Agency (CDA) either reconcile them with family or find alternative accommodation. Services to be delivered FREE OF CHARGE by qualified / experienced support workers who would have jumped at the opportunity of working in Jamaica;
-FREE training in UK-approved policies /procedures to all state care homes in Jamaica, facilitated by qualified and experienced practitioners from the UK;
-FREE duffle bags from UK charity – Separated Child to be distributed to “wards” in care. These bags contain quality clothing, personal items such as soaps, deodorant, notebooks etc donated by giant retailers in the UK (pictured).
I have received no acknowledgement of correspondence, not even an email message from the ministry or CDA to confirm receipt or to politely decline offers. I have sent repeat emails, posted the information, telephoned – nada!
Will the JLP administration at least respond to my correspondence?
Recently, I tried offering FREE of charge, three acres of my late father’s land to initiate an Agricultural Apprenticeship Scheme in St Mary. I feel as if I am being shunted from one person to another, and have almost given up on the proposal.
I am not the only Jamaican living in the Diaspora who had had NO response from government agencies back home. We are not rich, we are not members of alumni or Diaspora groups. Just ordinary professional Jamaicans living in a global space and are passionate about our country.
At least agencies can respond to us, even if they do not want what we offer, eh? It is called COURTESY. KMT!
By Neo Makeba
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]