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Four of the participants who took part in
Central Jamaica Conference Summer Work programme 2009 (left to
right) Yafayo Neil, Nicole Clowson, Kasheka Wallace and Shellaine
Campbell.
Despite the recession and the downturn in the local economy, some 10
secondary and tertiary students have obtained summer jobs at the
Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist headquarters in
Spanish Town. This tradition has been carried on for the last eight
years. The program cost over half a million dollars this year, most
of it going towards tuition for the tertiary students.
"The church is committed to the development of our young people and
this is one of the tangible ways in which we demonstrate our
commitment. This programme provides the students with work
experience and financial assistance to their education," Pastor Levi
Johnson, Executive Secretary for Central Jamaica Conference.
The aim of the programme enables young people to appreciate the work
environment and exposes them to proper work ethics in a Christian
environment. Focus is placed on understanding the world of work,
time management, the importance of meeting deadlines, interoffice
relationship, the use of initiative and spiritual development.
It is remarkable that even though the conference’s budget saw cuts
in department and administrative expenses, this programmed had to be
maintained.
Elder Billy Watson, Treasurer of Central Jamaica Conference, stated
that, “the conference has no option but to invest in our young
people. The church believes and understands that our young people
are the leaders of today and tomorrow, and that is why we put so
much into their education and their development.”
The summer workers expressed gratitude for the experience gained and
the opportunity to be a part of Central Jamaica Conference’s office
family. Shellaine Campbell, a second year student at Northern
Caribbean University, stated that, “this is my second year in the
programme and I have gained so much this past summer. And I am
confident that when I return to school September that my grades will
make the conference and family proud, as I strive for the Dean’s
List (honor roll).”
The conference remains committed to the summer work programme and
all the summer workers expressed their eagerness to return.
-Article and Photos by Kemar T. J. Douglas
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