Bryan Miller/Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: THE HANOVER Par i sh Development Committee (PDC) has embarked on an environmental project to plant trees on school grounds across the parish, aimed at providing both food and shade, while also enhancing the natural environment within the educational institutions. The project, whichHanover PDC Chairman PetraVernon-Foster said will be done in two phases, saw its first phase being implemented on March 2, when members of the PDC executive, assisted by Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Hanover Branch Societies Parish Manager Kameil Scott and a few farmers, accompanied by teachers from some of the schools, planting some 30 fruit trees on seven school grounds in western Hanover. There was also the handing out of another 18 seedlings to the schools to plant on their compounds as school projects. COUNTERING CLIMATE CHANGE According to Vernon-Foster, the project is very timely as it is in keeping with a national treeplanting effort launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in 2019, which has as its target the planting of three million trees across the island in three years. She said that she was not up to date on the status of the national project, but she thought it was prudent to play their part by planting fruit trees on school grounds across the parish, which will in time provide food, shade and enhance the whole environment. “The Hanover PDC is doing its part as it relates to the countering of climate change,”Vernon-Foster stated, adding, “in this first phase, we planted fruit trees on the grounds of Lucea Primary, Lucea Infant, Rusea’s High, Arthur Wint Basic, Esher Primary, Esher Full Gospel Basic and Haughton Court Nursery, Kindergarten and Preparatory schools”. She made special mention of the Hanover Rural Agricultural Development Authority office, the Hanover JAS office, along with the Trees that Feed Foundation in Clarendon, for their assistance towards the implementation of the project. Vernon-Foster also expressed gratefulness to the schools for accommodating the project, and the manpower provided by the Hopewell, Lucea and Green Island Development Area Committees. Principal of the Lucea Primary School, Yasmin Jackson, expressed appreciation for the fact that her school was chosen as part of the project, noting that it will offer both educational and environmental benefits to all. bryan.miller@gleanerjm.com THE GLEANER, MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS A10 Cecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer SECOND-YEAR MEDICAL student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Sashana Nelson, is fired up about helping others in her community of GimmeMe-Bit in Clarendon. The Glenmuir High School past student, in an interview with The Gleaner, shared that after discovering that some of her own relatives and friends were struggling with mathematics, she decided it was a way she could give of her talent. Nelson, who tutors Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate pure maths at her home, said it is her way of giving back to the community. “The community has done so many things that inspired me. In fact, it is one of those inspirations why I’m actually going to medical school, and I wanted to do something that I could give back to them,”she shared, admitting that while she has no money to give tangible donations, she is at least using her talent to make a difference. According to Nelson, the idea to tutor in maths came about when she realised that she not only had a love for the subject, but that she was actually quite good at it, and that made her decide to impart her knowledge to others. Since the initial sessions, which have been going on for over one year now, Nelson said she has learnt a lot from“these young people”. “Sometimes I threaten to beat them,” she laughingly shared, quickly dispelling any seriousness in the comment, adding that at the end of the day, it is fun, because the classes are making an impact, not only on her and her students, but the community on a whole. KEEPING THE BALANCE Keeping the balance for Nelson is simply a matter of setting her priorities straight. She shared that on weekdays, it is all about medical school, but on weekends she dedicates her time to her students. Fortunately for her, she does not need to do any lesson plans as, she said, when it comes to maths, it is a part of her; she just goes to the class and choose a topic. “I will go there and will teach the students what I know; so I don’t really spend much time prepping for the classes, because most of the stuff I know already,” she noted. Commenting on her chosen path, Nelson said it was a natural progression after her late grandmother, Venris Brown, had cancer and she often travelled with her to Kingston. While there, Nelson said she interacted with both doctors and patients. “The atmosphere felt just right and I felt like I belonged there, even though there were so many sick persons there,”she said, adding that she liked that she could go there and help a lot of people. Nelson also noted that themedical profession is one that ensures you are always learning something new; and as someone who enjoys learning new things, it is perfect for her. Student and cousin Veneka Nelson, who has been attending the classes since it started, shared that it has been helping her a lot, especially in light of the fact that she misses the Saturday classes at her school, Central High. Furthermore, Sashana, being a Seventh-day Adventist like herself, ensures that she makes up for it. “In class, she interacts with us and treats us not only as her students, but as family; in the sense that she uses different methods to teach, so that we may understand in teen language,” she explained. Veneka added that her cousin“breaks things down. Let’s say she is a substance that breaks down molecules for our brains,” she quipped. As for Nelson, her one wish is that others will follow her example and volunteer in their communities to share their knowledge. She pointed out that many persons are unable to access online classes, leaving them with a lot of catching up to do. “Use your talents so that you can help others. At the end of the day, maybe some of these kids will be there to help somebody else. So just go out there and do what you have to do for your community, for Jamaica, and make yourself proud.” cecelia.livingston@gleanerjm.com Inspired to give back Sashana Nelson asked for permission to have mathematics class with persons doing CSEC and CAPE at her primary school. During the pandemic, classes were relocated to her home. Persons point out that she has a knack for breaking down mathematics in a way that they can easily understand. PHOTOS BY NATHANIEL STEWART Sashana Nelson (right), a second-year medical student of Gimme-Me-Bit, Clarendon, assists sixthform students with CAPE-level mathematics. Sashana Nelson (left) assists her cousin, Veneka Nelson, with CAPE-level mathematics. Second-year Clarendon medical student teaches maths to community members Tamara Bailey/Gleaner Writer MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER: DOZENS OF entrepreneurs from the parish were able to launch and register their businesses, following their successful participation in the Northwest Manchester Youth Entrepreneurship programme spearheaded by the Central Jamaica Social Development Initiative (CJSDI). The programme, which was launched last July, facilitated the students in completing a four-month-long course with units that focused on entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, finance management, and marketing, particularly in food processing best practices to boost production, reduce imports and increase exports. “Our young people must not only be ready to compete locally, but to compete globally. One of the mission was to expose them to business practices and sharpen their analytical skills, to be able to make decisions that would ensure their profitability and success,”said DamionYoung, managing director of CJSDI. The programme had the backing of the Scientific Research Council, Jamaica Business Development Corporation, Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), Home Grown Produce, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, and HEART/NSTA Trust – which has certified the students in microLevel 2 entrepreneurship. Speaking at the graduation ceremony last Friday, themed ‘Recover stronger, expand wiser or start up smarter’, at the Golf View Hotel, Young reported that of the 36 graduates, not only were 20 individuals able to register their businesses with the COJ, but have completed business plans that were submitted to the HEART/ NSTA Trust for grant funding. Businesses with successful plans will receive a total of $100,000 each to obtain inputs to augment their businesses. “To their credit, the youth participants have been working hard and pushing their products and services, and are already easily recognisable in supermarkets and pharmacies around town. One example is Nastassia Baker, the owner of ‘Curlfrenz’, who is in Fontana Pharmacy with her hair products.”Young revealed Baker, who was selected as the group’s valedictorian, encouraged her colleagues to utilise the knowledge gained to optimise their offerings and seek various investments to fund their niche. GENERATE WEALTH Deputy Speaker of the House and guest speaker Juliet Holness hailed the initiative as a great opportunity to engage young people to generate wealth, and requested that it be replicated throughout the island. “The success of this programme is actually testament to the fact that there are Jamaicans willing to say no to handout and begging, no to helplessness, no to idleness, and yes to smart work, creativity and opportunity.” Holness said it is her intention to consult with the financeminister to explore the possibility of increased grant funding to support micro, small and medium enterprises. “Remittances from overseas should not be our greatest source of earning. Our greatest source of national income must come from these small businesses that we are able to create. You have been given the tools, young entrepreneurs; now go, change lives, and conquer the world of business.” tamara.bailey@gleanerjm.com Manchester youth get jumpstart in business ventures Owner of Wi Jammin Caribbean Foods, Sashell Thomas (left), shows her products to Deputy Speaker of the House and Guest Speaker Juliet Holness, shortly after the graduation service of the Northwest Manchester Youth Entrepreneurship programme at the Golf View Hotel last Friday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS The brand Curlfrenz, owned by graduate Nastassia Bakeron on display at the graduation service of the Northwest Manchester Youth Entrepreneurship programme last Friday. Wi Jammin Caribbean Foods, owned by graduate Sashell Thomas, on display at the graduation service of the Northwest Manchester Youth Entrepreneurship programme last Friday Hanover PDC embarks on tree-planting project Teachers from Lucea Primary School and members of Development Area Committees (DAC) about to plant a tree on the school grounds as part of the Hanover Parish Development Committee’s tree-planting project. From left: Carl Johnson of the Lucea DAC; Nickiesha Clayton, Tanya Williams and Francena Black, teachers at Lucea Primary School; and Edward Cunningham, president of the Green Island DAC. CONTRIBUTED
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