Reggae Girlz Offer Encouragement to Adolescent Mothers

Members of Jamaica’s national women’s football team, the Reggae Girlz, visited the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) on Monday (December 17), where they interacted with the adolescent mothers at the Trafalgar Road-based facility and offered words of encouragement.

The visit was part of a series of activities organised by the Government to celebrate the team’s historic qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, who was on hand, advised the teen mothers to use the achievement of the women’s football team to motivate and inspire them to pursue their goals.

“The Reggae Girlz are a motivating force and offer a good message for you. [Qualifying for the World Cup] was not easy for them. Just the training and being disciplined to reach where they have reached [should be] an example to you that regardless of the challenges, you can achieve,” she said.

“You must also see yourself achieving and becoming as great as the Reggae Girlz in your own way, no matter what the challenges,” she added, while urging the teens to cheer for the players in France.

Captain of the team, Konya Plummer, encouraged the adolescent mothers to keep believing in themselves and to trust in God, as well as to be strong and courageous.
WCJF student, Kaci-Ann Henry, congratulated the team on their historic achievement.

“We teen mothers, along with all Jamaicans, are so proud of the team, and we can’t wait until 2019 to watch you play and dominate. This team of women have inspired us young women to work hard continuously and to fight for what we want to achieve in life. We understand that we might face challenges and setbacks, but once we maintain a burning desire to excel, we can move mountains,” she said.

The team then applauded the adolescent mothers as a show of affirmation of their worth and value, and the teens returned the applause as a show of gratitude and to congratulate the footballers on their achievement.

Other speakers included the Executive Director of the WCJF, Dr. Zoe Simpson, and Chairperson of the institution, Debby-Ann Brown-Salmon.

Earlier in the day, the football team called on Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Lady Allen at King’s House; and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Peter Phillips, and attended a civic ceremony downtown Kingston, where they were presented with the Keys to the City.

In the evening, the Reggae Girlz were feted at a reception hosted by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The Reggae Girlz celebrations started on Saturday (December 15) with a civic ceremony in Montego Bay and a motorcade, which started at G.C. Foster College and traveled throughout the Corporate Area, followed by a concert at Emancipation Park on Sunday (December 16).

Activities continue on Tuesday (December 18), with a courtesy call on Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott, who will present the footballers with the Keys to the City.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will fete the girls at Dunn’s River Falls and Park in Ocho Rios. They will also spend time at the Mystic Mountain attraction in the resort town. The team will receive the Keys to St. Ann’s Bay at a reception later in the day.