FIFTEEN youngsters from the inner city will this summer complete internships in landscaping at the Kenny Benjamin-run Hope Zoo in St Andrew.
Mona Sue Ho, JSIF's social development manager, noted that the youngsters to be trained in the three-month programme will be selected from ICBSP-targeted communities including Whitfield Town, Jones Town, Passmore, Craig/Jones Town, and Federal Gardens.
"The project was approved by the board of JSIF in February. It will ensure that the participants are introduced to environmental principles, and will certainly increase their awareness and appreciation of their natural environment. This placement will not only provide them with skills in landscaping, but also support the development of other competencies which will allow them to excel in the workforce," she said.
The youngsters will also benefit from an introduction to the unique biodiversity of the gardens and contribute to the overall development efforts currently in progress at the zoo. The value of the project is $3 million and includes a stipend to be paid to each participant over six months.
They will participate in life skills activities prior to the commencement of their arrival at Hope Zoo.
The zoo has, among its goals, the improvement of husbandry standards for the key local species and promoting awareness among Jamaicans about the need to protect their biodiversity.
Training is to be carried out in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under its World Bank-funded Inner City Basic Services (ICBSP) project.
An animal on display at Hope Zoo.
   An animal on display at Hope Zoo. #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/1  |
"The project was approved by the board of JSIF in February. It will ensure that the participants are introduced to environmental principles, and will certainly increase their awareness and appreciation of their natural environment. This placement will not only provide them with skills in landscaping, but also support the development of other competencies which will allow them to excel in the workforce," she said.
The youngsters will also benefit from an introduction to the unique biodiversity of the gardens and contribute to the overall development efforts currently in progress at the zoo. The value of the project is $3 million and includes a stipend to be paid to each participant over six months.
They will participate in life skills activities prior to the commencement of their arrival at Hope Zoo.
The zoo has, among its goals, the improvement of husbandry standards for the key local species and promoting awareness among Jamaicans about the need to protect their biodiversity.