UTech Students Urged to Continue Impacting Lives in Communities

Volunteers in this year’s Teach the Youth programme have been urged to continue the University of Technology’s (UTech) tradition of taking initiatives that positively impact the lives of others in the communities surrounding the tertiary institution, in Kingston.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s programme, at the Technology Innovation Centre, recently, Professor Rosalea Hamilton, Vice President, Community Service and Development, congratulated the students for having made the decision to join the programme. The theme is: ‘Unleash Your Potential… Empowered for Greatness’.

“That you have chosen consistently over the last 17 years to do this is awesome.  It’s a long rich tradition that I hope the students of UTech will continue,” Professor Hamilton said.

She encouraged the students to appreciate the interconnectedness among individuals, communities and countries. The principle which underpins Teach the Youth, she said, can be described by the South African word ubuntu, which recognises that all human beings are interconnected.

“Teach the Youth has demonstrated to Jamaica that you know what it is and what it means to take responsibility for each other. You are taking responsibility for the youngsters in the communities by working here in the Summer and ensuring that they have a chance to get out of the difficulties they are in,” the Professor said.

She noted that projects such as Teach the Youth assume even greater significance in challenging times as persons and organisations begin to think more about their own interests.

“What you are doing is especially important now, because as things get tough, many of us get very insular, many of us are looking at our own circumstances and how we survive and don’t bother to look beyond ourselves. So, our choice to do that at this time is important and we do need to hold (each other’s) hands and make sure that we make it through,” Professor Hamilton told the students.

Meanwhile, President of the Students’ Union at UTech, Darrian McGhann, said the Council recognises that there is a need for services which can be supplied by its members, who are enthusiastic about the programme and eager to change lives.

For her part, Acting Director of Community Service and Development, Norma Morgan, expressed confidence that the students will continue to touch the lives of residents in the surrounding communities, thereby making a positive impact on the country.

Teach the Youth is a three-week outreach programme administered by the UTech Students’ Union Council annually, which targets hundreds of students in the communities of Tavern, Highlight View, August Town, Kintyre and Sandy Park.

The project got underway on July 13 and also involves volunteers from the National Youth Service (NYS) and Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project.

Sponsors include the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Island Road Trio, Lasco, Reggae Jammin, Uncommon Arts, Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project, FAME FM, IWatch Campus, IGL, COK Sodality Credit Union, Appliance Traders, and Jamaica Producers.

Jamaica National Building Society and Digicel, which are also sponsors, donated $200,000 and $350,000, respectively, to this year’s programme.