Students Encouraged To ‘liv Gud’ By Making The Right Choices

KINGSTON, September 20 (JIS):

Students at Denham Town High School are being encouraged to make the choices that will propel them along a path of excellence and engender sound values.

This urging comes from Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, who along with members of the Ministry’s ‘Liv Gud’ team, engaged with students at the Kingston Western-based school on Friday (September 20).

“No matter where you come from, no matter what school you go to… you are a possibility. All of you in here are possibilities for a good opportunity out there,” she said.

Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn also encouraged the students to live harmoniously with each other. She noted that this means, among other things, being kind and gentle towards and respectful of each other.

The State Minister invited the youngsters to surround themselves with positive influences by, among other things, identifying persons who they can confide in and not allowing negative elements that may be present in their communities to influence their outlook on life.

“Even if you can’t find a grown up, but you can find your own peers to talk to if something is happening with you, you could possibly end up staying out of trouble. You are at an age where you can be easily influenced [by] many things,” she said.

The five-time Olympian referenced several circumstances in her life and urged the students to stay in school despite the challenges experienced and further encouraged them to stay on the right path.

“It is for you to make up your mind what you want to do… if you want the right way or you want the wrong way, because we know what happens from time to time when we make the right or the wrong choice. Make the right choice and live good every day. We all go through something. Find that person that’s going to stick with you and make those right choices instead of the bad ones,” she said.

Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn further advised that the Ministry has police officers and case managers assigned in schools to work with students and assured them that “those people are there to help you, to guide you”.

Friday’s interactive session also included motivational talks and tips from other members of the team including Sergeant Andrew Williams of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB).

Grade-11 student, Kaydon Blair, who was very engaging during the session, said one of his takeaways was being reminded to “do the right thing”.

‘Liv Gud’ is the Ministry of National Security’s national anti-violence campaign with an overarching message that aims to promote the value of respect for each other, the sanctity of life, and law and public order.

It includes extensive community engagement initiatives geared towards disrupting criminal activity and restoring citizen safety and public order, while encouraging social responsibility among Jamaicans.