JIS and Mount Olivet Boys’ Home Partnership Continues to Flourish

As the sun rose over the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home in Manchester, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) team members eagerly gathered with the residents to host their annual Sports Day at the facility on Saturday, April 6.

The event, aimed at exemplifying the unwavering partnership between the two entities, while promoting character development among the boys, has become a staple and an anticipated event for the Agency and Home.

Operations Officer at Mount Olivet, Yashi Williams, underscores the integral role the event has played in the lives of the boys over the years.

“The fact is, our boys are creatures of habit, and consistency is key where they are concerned. [Their] being beneficiaries of this well-planned and executed event every year is something they have come to accept as [the] norm and cannot envision going forward without,” Mr. Williams notes.

He tells JIS News that the boys find happiness in this event, evidenced by the sheer pride and joy they exhibit afterwards.

“I watch them going to school on Monday and Tuesday with their medals and they are quite proud with what they have achieved, because they realise that [the JIS] has an interest in them as [persons] and wants them to do well,” Mr. Wiliams shares.

He expresses gratitude for the partnership forged between the JIS and the Home and is hopeful it will continue for years to come.

The JIS adopted the Home in 2009 as its main Corporate Social Responsibility Project.

Since then, the Agency, which spearheads events for the benefit of the boys, visits the Home multiple times each year to offer its support.

This is provided in areas ranging from educational resources and mentorship to personal development training, thereby ensuring that their well-being and development are prioritised.

Seventeen-year-old resident of the Home, Najay M, was thrilled about this year’s staging.

“My experience was… enjoyable and I’m looking for you guys every year,” he expresses enthusiastically.

Najay was among the top finishers in three events during this year’s Sports Day – the 4×100 metres relay, 100-metre sprint, and the Maths race.

Acting JIS Special Projects Manager, Charnele Henry, notes that the Agency’s dedication to the Boys’ Home demonstrates its fulfilment of the ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of these young boys.

“I am proud of the sportsmanship displayed by the boys, and it is confirmation for us that the work we do with them has an impact. The staff of the JIS looks forward to interacting with the boys on each visit and teaching them life lessons through creative means like this,” Ms. Henry adds.

She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to lead and be part of what she describes as a “meaningful initiative” and looks forward to strengthening and continuing this partnership.

Echoing similar sentiments is JIS Digitisation Clerk, Tyesha Richards, who has been making the annual trip for three years.

“What the JIS is doing is very impactful. In just hosting sports days helps to develop the boys. Over the years I’ve seen changes in their attitude towards working as a team, showing each other love. So instead of being divided, it makes them work together to be good overall,” she states.

Ms. Richards, like Najay, is anticipating the event’s next staging and assures that she will be returning.

This year’s staging of the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home Sports Day was made possible through sponsorship provided by National Baking Company, JP Tropical Foods, Lifespan Water, Yummy Bakery, and the Dr. Sue and Friends Foundation.

The Home currently has 22 boys, aged 10 to 17, and is operated by the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands with subvention from the Government of Jamaica.