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Communities Benefit from Adventist Church Training Initiative
Over one hundred and twenty persons from Ocho Rios and surrounding communities benefited from a much needed skills training symposium held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. This initiative dubbed, “Skills for Life” was hosted by the Ocho Rios District of Seventh-day Adventist Churches in collaboration with HEART TRUST/NTA, and was held under a tent pitched several meters from the Ocho Rios Seventh-day Adventist Church, St. Ann.
The six-hour workshop had resource personnel from the HEART Trust/NTA, the College of Hospitality and Vocational Skills, and the Rotary Club Skills Training Centre. Seminars and demonstrations were conducted in Entrepreneurial Skills, Career Development, Food and Beverage preparation, Electrical Installation, Cosmetology, landscaping and healthy lifestyle.
Mr. Calder Dawkins (third from left), rep. from College of Hospitality demonstrating table setting to some of the participants at the training
One beneficiary of this event, Monique Samuels expressed, “I am very happy for this. I previously received training in welding and construction and I am now seeking to be certified. So you could say that this is an answered prayer, because it is easier for me to access the information without traveling too far.”
Dudley Hosin, Pastor of the Ocho Rios District of Seventh-day Adventist churches encouraged this event as part of a Healthy Living Evangelistic campaign. “We are happy that as a church, we could partner with HEART Trust/NTA. This organization has the skills and tools for training, therefore, assisting us to meet the needs of so many in our church and community who are in need of work.”
“This skills symposium,” he continued, “is held at an accessible location so that individuals have no excuse not to come and learn how to become independent and self sufficient; particularly at this time when jobs are becoming scarce and there is need for persons to become multi-skilled or multi-talented for survival.”
Trecia Nelson, an attendee, states one benefit gained. “So far the programme is good. I am here to learn and to get certified by HEART, the more training and qualification I have, the better I can take care of my family.”
Mr. Delroy Williams, the Employment Facilitation Officer at HEART, stated that over seventy-nine persons have registered with HEART through the day’s initiative. “We want to ensure that those who have signed up are placed into training. We have found persons who are already skilled and are trying to get an assessment done. And interestingly enough, these individuals have years of experience in their skilled area and they can be assessed on the job or within our institution without going into the whole gamut of everyday training. We are going to focus on them and help them,” said Williams.
“I am pleased with the turnout and the support of all participants” states Mrs. Sherice Lyons, Community Services Leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ocho Rios. “In keeping with the Mission of the Church, to equip for better living, we have met our objectives today. We have a duty to help persons to recognize that there are opportunities out there for them to make a living instead of just sitting on the street corner, which has become customary for so many Jamaicans.” “They,” she continued, “are able to access skills and use those skills to better their lives.”
Between 2006 and 2008 approximately 230 persons have been certified by HEART Trust/NTA through the initiative of the North Jamaica Mission’s Adventist-laypersons' Service and Industries (ASI) Department. The ASI is an organization of Business and Professional persons who, as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, use their business and business contacts to foster the mission of the Church. The President of this vibrant ASI Chapter is Mrs. Judy Morgan.
The North Jamaica Mission of Seventh-day Adventists comprises the parishes of St. Ann and Trelawny with a membership of approximately 13, 617 worshipping in 74 congregations.
Story by Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher
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