Inner city youth working to change lives in his community
Published:Saturday | March 18, 2023 | 12:51 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Rojanie Bedasee is resolute in his goal of making a positive impact on the youths of Jamaica one step at a time.
The 20-year-old who is heavily involved in community outreach spends his spare time at the Jones Town Baptist Church, where he is a member, mentoring children 12 years and under while also assisting them in academics.
His objective is to ensure that youths who are raised in so-called garrison communities do not adopt behaviours that could lead to a life of crime.
“Knowing that I come from the inner-city, my ultimate goal is to get my family outside [the community] because growing up I see where crime and violence is a big factor and I always wanted to be the one who take a stand [against crime and violence] and finally I get this opportunity so now I can make my mark,” he said in an interview with The Gleaner on Friday.
Bedasee was among 245 recruits – 198 males and 48 females – of the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) intake 2022/01 who graduated on Friday in a passing-out ceremony at the Jamaica Defence Force’s Up Park Camp who will join the regular ranks of the JDF.
The Kingston College alumnus who obtained 12 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects said that he plans to save enough money to further his studies and obtain a degree in journalism.
Bedasee said he has an interest in investigative journalism and plans to uncover stories relating to crime and violence in society.
“Persons in the community see me as an inspiration so I always encourage them and leave them with thoughtful words,” he added.
The young man who is the eldest of his siblings – one sister and three brothers – said that despite his strong religious groundings he still manages to remain relatable to his peers as he learns from them as much as they do from him.
“It was not easy to just adapt to the surroundings that I live in, but everything paid off,” he said.
His grandmothers Maxine Watson and Margaret Bloomfield who helped to raise him told The Gleaner how proud he has made the family.
Watson stated that Bedasee was always an active child as he grew up playing sports such as track and field. She disclosed that he also grew up in the church and was baptised at the age of six.
“I feel so good, he passed out the training and going into a new level and I wish him all the best. It will be challenging but I pray that he will have determination and [keep] to his principles because he grew up in church,” Watson said.
“Him tell me say from yuh break the law you haffi pay the penalty. Him serious them way deh,” she added.
Meanwhile, his mother, Soshanna Ennis, told The Gleaner that she was very elated for Bedasee because he has a relentless spirit.
“He always wants to be in something so I know it doesn’t stop here ... here is just a stepping stone to go further heights,” she said, noting that she would continue to support him in his endeavours.
His siblings, along with his church deacon and other family members and friends, were at the graduation to offer their support.
The JNSC which was launched in 2017 targets youths aged between 18 and 23, equipping them with military, vocational, and life skills. The JNSC intake 2022/01 received a total of 360 recruits of which 311 successfully completed the programme.
The trainees are engaged in five phases of the programme, namely basic recruit training for 16 weeks; intermediate training; support to arms training; infantry on-the-job training for eight weeks and infantry qualification course which is only undertaken by individuals who have been earmarked for matriculation into the regular force of the JDF.
The graduates were encouraged to take pride in their journey and to hold the faith as they continue to matriculate.
“The skills you have acquired in your training will serve you well as you venture into the workforce and make your mark on society. So as you prepare to leave the safety and security of this military training environment, and I know it was very hard work, I want to remind you that you are well equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead,” said Steadman Fuller, custos rotulorum for Kingston, who was in attendance.