The IDB’s country office in ja-maica decided to take a novel approach to celebrating the Bank’s 40th anniversary: It held a contest to recognize the work of communities that have solved problems without the help of the IDB, or any other outside agency.
The call went out for applications from community projects that demonstrated a high level of participation and produced concrete benefits. The winners would receive small cash awards and a commemorative plaque. From the 24 projects that applied, the judges chose four, including two projects tied for third.
The New Garden Youth Club, in the parish of St. Andrew, took first prize for a water supply and road project. When the club was formed a decade ago, its members decided that the community’s main problem was the poor condition of its principal road. It was so bad that buses would not enter the community, making it difficult for children to go to school, adults to get to work, and farmers to sell their produce. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund agreed to finance repairs, but the community had to make its contribution. The youth club took responsibility for maintaining the roadway, clearing drains and storing roadworking equipment.
The S-Corner Development Council, in the Bennetlands Community, won second place for its initiative to reduce gang violence. The council, which had long been active in health, education and community outreach, appointed a committee charged with bringing warring gangs together. After months of mediation, the factions agreed on a code of conduct. For the past two years, peace has reigned practically uninterrupted.
The Rising Star Community Club, in the village of Broadleaf, shared third place for a project in which young people grew and marketed sweet potatoes. Despite inexperience, drought and transportation difficulties, the potato plants came up and the fields greened. Today, the young people sell produce both locally and to the export market.
The Sligoville Institute, shared third place for a project to help young people prepare for the workplace with job skills and courses in personal development. The institute currently has more than 80 students on its rolls, and its graduates have gone on to study at Jamaica’s University of Technology, schools of nursing and teachers colleges.