Persons Selected to be Youth Ambassadors for PATH

Sixteen persons have been selected to be Youth Ambassadors for the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

This is to support the main objective of PATH to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by reducing stigma and discrimination and encourage students to stay in school and to pursue academic excellence.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, who spoke at the launch on November 9 at Mona Visitors’ Lodge, in Kingston, charged the Ambassadors to work to enhance the image of PATH while motivating and inspiring other beneficiaries to strive for greatness.

“We know that you can speak directly and more effectively to your peers, educating them, advocating for them and inspiring them. As future leaders, I know you will do well in promoting a better understanding of PATH and help to advance the Ministry’s efforts in reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by beneficiaries. You can be the voices of the vulnerable regarding tertiary education and youth policies,” she said.

Meanwhile, Social Marketing Manager of PATH, Marcia Bolt Williams, said the programme will act as a support system to beneficiaries.

“The ambassadors will serve as speakers to motivate other PATH beneficiaries to rise above the challenges and achieve their goals, however lofty. As symbols of the resilience of the Jamaican family, these young men and women will help us to reinforce the value of education as the main vehicle out of poverty,” she said.

Jamelia Jalaalwalikram, a Youth Ambassador who is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Economics after obtaining a first class Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, said “PATH is arming us with the tool we need to lift ourselves out of vulnerability and that tool is education.”

The Youth Ambassadors Programme was implemented to commemorate PATH’s 10th anniversary in 2012. A total of $16.5 million was allocated to 16 students on PATH who matriculated to accredited universities in Jamaica.

They received scholarships to pursue studies in medicine, nursing, chemistry, business administration, law, international relations and art.

The young leaders will engage with 3,000 students in 30 schools over the next 12 months.