Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities Honours Volunteers

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday (Dec. 6) honoured several volunteers from St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann and St. Thomas, for their assistance to the disabled communities in the four parishes.
At an awards function held at the Casa Maria Hotel in Port Maria, plaques were presented to Sharmine Wilks of the 3D Project in Portland and Carlene Smith, Community Worker from Portland; Sheron Kidd of the 3D Project in St. Thomas; Dr. Ba Thein of the St. Mary Health Department; Norris Maragh of the 3D Project in St. Mary; Horace Stewart, Community Worker in St. Mary; Inez Wilson of the Rural Services for Children for Disabilities in St. Ann; Mazelyn Wilson, Community Worker in St. Ann, and the Rotary Club of Ocho Rios. The crew of the Marine of the Seas vessel was also honoured.
Anthony Taylor, Lay Preacher and teacher at the Lanaman’s Preparatory School in Kingston, who gave the main address, exhorted Jamaicans to show love and care to people with disabilities, in order to provide the encouragement necessary to enable them to realise their full potential.
Mr. Taylor, who visually impaired, said he was a testament of the success that could be achieved when help was offered to persons in need.
Stating that each member of the society must be given equal opportunity to succeed and contribute to development, he said that the needs of persons with disabilities, must guide the formulation of national developmental strategies.
Mr. Taylor commended the honourees for the contribution they have made to improving the lives of disabled persons in the country. He further encouraged disabled persons to become involved in voluntary organizations and provide service to others, noting that through their participation, others would be assisted to find success.
The awards function was part of activities to mark Disabilities Awareness Week from December 3 to 9.