Jamaica's Annual BEST Community Competition
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Earl Jarrett, General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society presents a trophy to Sutcliffe Logan, President of the Woodlands Educational Benevolent Society and the representative for Mount Peto in Hanover. Mount Peto took second place in the National BEST Community Competition.
'Don't Write Off Any Community' says Earl Jarrett Earl Jarrett, General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society has pointed to the changed perceptions of the communities of Sherwood Content and Waterhouse, from which Olympic champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce originate.
Such communities represent the foundation of the society, he told participants and guests at the National BEST Community Competition awards ceremony held at the Stella Maris Pastoral Centre in St Andrew on August 23. The Treasure Beach community won the competition, with Mount Peto coming second and Runaway Bay coming third.
"Jamaican communities can tackle challenges they face if there is proper organisation and a common goal which everyone can work towards," he said. The National BEST Community Programme (NBCP) establishes partnerships between communities and persons with technical, professional, spiritual, educational and financial resources to provide them with assistance, he stated.
"There is a vast opportunity for change which can be effected if this programme is adopted and implemented across the island," Mr. Jarrett said. He was addressing the parish winners of the competition, including: Irish Town, St Andrew; Port Morant, St Thomas; Balcarres, Portland; Jeffrey Town, St Mary; Hampton, Runaway Bay, St Ann; Albert Town, Trelawny; Flanker, St James; Mount Peto, Hanover; Petersville, Westmoreland; Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth; Grove Place, Manchester; Canaan Heights, Clarendon; and Bushy Park, St Catherine.
"This is truly a great programme," said, Paul Burke, Chairman of the Social Development Commission, adding that, "we intend to truly empower community organisations in Jamaica."
Such communities represent the foundation of the society, he told participants and guests at the National BEST Community Competition awards ceremony held at the Stella Maris Pastoral Centre in St Andrew on August 23. The Treasure Beach community won the competition, with Mount Peto coming second and Runaway Bay coming third.
"Jamaican communities can tackle challenges they face if there is proper organisation and a common goal which everyone can work towards," he said. The National BEST Community Programme (NBCP) establishes partnerships between communities and persons with technical, professional, spiritual, educational and financial resources to provide them with assistance, he stated.
"There is a vast opportunity for change which can be effected if this programme is adopted and implemented across the island," Mr. Jarrett said. He was addressing the parish winners of the competition, including: Irish Town, St Andrew; Port Morant, St Thomas; Balcarres, Portland; Jeffrey Town, St Mary; Hampton, Runaway Bay, St Ann; Albert Town, Trelawny; Flanker, St James; Mount Peto, Hanover; Petersville, Westmoreland; Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth; Grove Place, Manchester; Canaan Heights, Clarendon; and Bushy Park, St Catherine.
"This is truly a great programme," said, Paul Burke, Chairman of the Social Development Commission, adding that, "we intend to truly empower community organisations in Jamaica."