ENTERTAINERS AND PERSONALITIES TURN AMBASSADORS FOR “SAVE A CHILD – CHANGE A NATION” AN INITIATIVE BY JAMAICA’S MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY!

A number of entertainers and personalities have been selected as ambassadors for the Save a Child – Change a Nation initiative under the Ministry of National Security and Department of Correctional Services’ We Transform program.

Naomi Cowan

Since the launch of the program in June, Jermaine Edwards, Kaci Fennel Shirley, Agent Sasco and Naomi Cowan have come on board, while 50 individuals from various corporate entities have agreed to volunteer their time as mentors

“Our ambassadors and mentors are expected to impart positive messages to the young people in the facilities by telling them they are important and their lives matter,” said Ella Ghartey, programs manager for We Transform.

Jermaine Edwards

We Transform is an empowerment and reintegration program geared at building and developing opportunities for the 242 children, aged 12 to 17, who are currently remanded in the island’s juvenile correctional facilities. It is aimed at preparing them for the reintegration process and equipping them with the skills and a mindset they need to avoid reoffending.

Ghartey said that the mentor ship aspect of the program, which focuses on group engagement, will entail several motivational sessions, interpersonal, educational and career development sessions, as well as special treats from corporate sponsors.

Agent Sasco

She said the upcoming activities are to include a football competition for the boys spa day and a cultural pageant for the girls, which will give the juveniles an opportunity to interact with the ambassadors and mentors.

Speaking during a recent tour of the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre, gospel performer Jermaine Edwards said the program allowed the ambassadors and mentors to influence change in the lives of the young people.

Kaci Fennell

“Coming from the inner city, it’s amazing to see how some of our youth live. My experience is that young people from that society are not introduced to activities that can develop their skill sets and push them forward. So, the We Transform program shows them that they can make something of their lives and, regardless of the current circumstances, there is a way for them to get out and continue with their lives as better persons, “ said Edwards.

Also speaking during the tour of the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Center, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr said the We Transform program gives the boys and girls currently remanded an opportunity to be practically and successfully reintegrated into society.

“The program seeks to transform how we, the public, parents and members of the community, see persons who have been incarcerated. We want to remove the stigma that is attached and start giving these persons a fair chance to be reintegrated and not be re-offenders,” Charles Jr added.