Jill Stewart MoBay City Run Helping to Retain Skills in Western Jamaica

The Jill Stewart MoBay City Run is playing a crucial role in ensuring that western Jamaica remains a key economic hub by supporting students’ access to tertiary education within the region.

Chairman and organiser of the event, Janet Silvera, said that one of the initiative’s primary objectives is to equip students to participate in the workforce, aligning education with industry needs.

“You cannot have a city that you say is the economic hub or that engine of growth for an industry that is so important to Jamaica and you don’t have workers qualified to work in those areas. That is why this run is so important,” she said.

She was speaking at a recent Think Tank held at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Montego Bay Regional Office in St. James.

The Jill Stewart MoBay City Run raises funds to provide scholarships to students attending the western campuses of five tertiary institutions to retain skills and talent in the region.

The institutions are the University of the West Indies (UWI), University of Technology (UTech), Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, and Montego Bay Community College.

Support is also provided to students attending the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Manchester.

Ms. Silvera noted that students who leave the region to pursue studies elsewhere sometimes never return, resulting in a shortage of qualified professionals.

She explained that the initiative encourages students to remain in western Jamaica, complete their studies and contribute to organisations within the region.

Ms. Silvera said that beneficiaries of the run, which is in its 10th year, give back to the event through voluntary service.

“The impact of the programme is evident in its beneficiaries. One recipient, Dr. Akil Gardner, is now overseeing the medical tent for the run, working alongside Dr. Barbara Grandison, who has been involved for years and is now mentoring him to take over the role,” Ms. Silvera noted.

Final-year student at the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Chris-Shana Gallimore, attested to the programme’s impact, noting that the support extends beyond financial assistance to emotional encouragement and motivation.

“I made a promise to myself that I will become a volunteer because they have really helped me and I’ve seen where it has helped other people,” she told JIS News.

“The money goes a far away, and when you have that strong support system, it really shows you how valid you are and how important your goal is,” she added.

Chris-Shana is among the beneficiaries from Trelawny who will receive sponsorship to participate in the Japanese Peace Boat programme in June.

She expressed hope that the experience will equip her with knowledge and perspectives to promote peace within her community.

The 2026 staging of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run will be held on May 3 at Harmony Beach Park.

In addition to the tertiary scholarships, the proceeds from the event will provide $1 million each to five secondary schools in western Jamaica that suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Melissa.