Ministry of Labour’s Third Path Day Held in Hannah Town

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security staged a third Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) Day at the Hannah Town Community Centre, West Kingston, on Wednesday (August 11).
This followed similar activities in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town, and is being undertaken at the behest of Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, to provide assistance to families in need of social support, following the recent interventions by the security forces in West Kingston.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, urged the residents to take full advantage of the services being offered, noting that normally they would have to go to “a dozen different places” to get these services.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore (right), speaks with Ministry executives from left, Director, National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Denzil Thorpe, and Director, Rehabilitation and Welfare, Marleen Miller, prior to the start of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) Day at the Hannah Town Community Centre in West Kingston Wednesday (August 11).

“I am hoping that as you get through, you will…tell your neighbour to also visit the centre and benefit from the services being offered,” he said.
Mr. Gallimore stated that it was important that the Government intervene in communities, such as Hannah Town, “to let you know that each and every one of you is important to the building of this country.”
The main activity for the day was workshops at the community level, designed to bring beneficiaries and prospective applicants into direct one-on-one contact with their service providers. Residents were sensitised about agencies and programmes which could facilitate social mobility and empowerment.
The session also provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and information, and provided access to a number of social support services by utilising a multi-agency approach.
Several Government agencies and programmes collaborated with the Ministry in staging the session, and the Centre was transformed into a ‘one-stop-shop’, where booths were set up showcasing a wide range of services.
Persons were able to apply for birth certificates from the Registrar-General’s Department (RGD); register for assistance from PATH and the National Council for Senior Citizens; and sign up with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Other partnering agencies present were: Taxpayers’ Registration Number (TRN) office; Steps-to-Work programme; Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities; National Youth Service; Jamaican Foundation for Life Long Learning; and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The next community to be targeted will be Fletcher’s Land.