Murals Unveiled at Kingston Schools to Mark Completion of EU-Funded Bridge Project

The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Crime Stop Jamaica, recently unveiled two plaques at Charlie Smith and Haile Selassie High Schools in Kingston to mark the conclusion of the 30-month EU-funded BRIDGE Project.

Designed to empower vulnerable youth aged 15 to 29, the Project provided socio-emotional, vocational and mentorship support, alongside opportunities in crime prevention, the arts and advocacy.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremonies, Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Luca Lo Conte, described the murals – another achievement of the BRIDGE Project – as powerful stories of growth, aspiration, and fulfilment.

Referencing the Charlie Smith High School mural, which reflects themes of perseverance and focus, with students affirming that education is the pathway to opportunity regardless of their circumstances, he shared that “public art can be transformational, if well intended”.

“Here, we see hands that support and guide, profiles that gaze forward, and symbols of both enduring heritage and fresh opportunity. Its depiction of mentorship, resilience and achievement embodies the values that the EU hopes to promote in education and youth development,” the Programme Manager added.

Mr. Lo Conte also reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing commitment to youth development, noting that “our partnerships in Jamaica are built on the conviction that every child’s journey can be one of promise and progress”.

“The BRIDGE Project murals encourage young people to see education as the key to their future, empowering them to unlock opportunities beyond the classroom, whether in sport, academics or personal growth,” he said.

The Programme Manager added, “This is what the European Union stands for in Jamaica and beyond: helping young people find their voices, take pride in their heritage, and see themselves as central to a shared future.”

Mr. Lo Conte used the opportunity to thank the MultiCare Youth Foundation, key stakeholders, the muralist, students, teachers, principals, and supporting organisations for their dedication and creativity throughout the BRIDGE Project’s activities.

“We support interventions that encourage resilience, innovation, and growth. We want every student to feel empowered to pursue big dreams, no matter their starting point. Let these murals inspire all who see [them] to continue striving, learning, and supporting each other,” he encouraged.

Mr. Lo Conte assured that the EU remains committed to advancing inclusive opportunities, strengthening educational institutions, and investing in the boundless potential of Jamaica’s youth.

For her part, Director of Projects and Strategic Management at MYF, Mitzian Turner, praised the collaborative spirit of the initiative.

“These murals are more than works of art, they are visual representations of the hope and dreams for a better future that MYF and our partners aim to inspire in our youth beneficiaries,” she said.

Providing context on the initiative, which benefited more than 300 youth, Ms. Turner explained that through the project’s HOPE Campaign, the Foundation sought to increase participation in positive youth engagement and crime-prevention activities.

Through this project, the MYF delivered a suite of positive youth development and pro-social interventions, among them the use of the arts to inspire and uplift.

“No single intervention could address the myriad of challenges facing young people. So the team curated a comprehensive and layered approach that responded to different learning and engagement styles.” Ms. Turner noted.

“At Haile Selassie High School, for example, 10 students from the Whitfield Town community participated in cinematography training, learning skills in camera use, filmmaking, and producing photography and videography content. They were also tasked with capturing images from their community to tell a story of hope and aspirations for the future,” she informed.

Ms. Turner added that, “the same students then helped shape the concept, design, and installation of the mural unveiled at their school, working closely with the muralist and members of the school community to bring the vision to life”.

She thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the murals: “We hope that these murals stand as a testament of what you can achieve if you put your mind to it… and as a daily inspiration for years to come that education can indeed open doors for you and that you have the power to choose the future that you want yourself.”