Manchester Adventist Youth Federation gives back to community

Mandeville, Manchester:

In an effort to create awareness about issues affecting youth in the parish and offer a platform for support, the Manchester Adventist Youth Federation (MAYFed) hosted a weekend of activities to mark this initiative.

The series began with a vesper service last week Friday evening, which included a prayer session for the youth across Manchester, then Sabbath service at the Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church, where president of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist churches, Pastor Levi Johnson, gave the keynote address.

According to executive secretary of MAYFed, Patricia Grant, all the activities were specifically planned with an aim to have youth impact youth.

"The Peace March spoke against crime and violence among youth in the parish and was led by the Drum Corp from the Manchester High School. The Jamaica Constabulary Force also showed their support and the evening ended with singspiration at the Cecil Charlton Park. This initiative was well received by the citizens of Mandeville and its environs," she said.

The youth ministries which began the Operation Save a Youth initiative (OSAY) decided to broaden its reach and took to children's homes and the infirmaries to impact the residents there.

"Operation Save a Youth is an initiative of the youth ministries department of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist churches. The initiative targets more than 2,000 youth across Central Jamaica, namely Manchester, Clarendon, and St Catherine. Youth join together and volunteer in projects in different areas of one of these parishes on an annual basis. Scholarships are also offered to both Adventist and non-Adventist tertiary students."

She further mentioned, "The Manchester Adventist Youth Federation made their contribution to this initiative on a smaller scale by visiting the Manchester Infirmary in the Royal Flat community and the New Hope Children's Home in Waltham."

TEAMAPPRECIATED

The team was well received by the nurses and workers at the infirmary as the residents had their nails cut, hair washed and combed hair and the males had their faces shaved.

"We talked and laughed and sang with the patrons at the home and the reaction was no different at the Children's Home, as the children burst out in screams of excitement as the bus pulled up at the gate. They received a little treat with toys, candy, and snacks upon arrival. Food and clothes items were also part of the gift received. They were told stories and joined in as little children's choruses were sung."

"Operation Save a Youth is not just for youths in the Adventist church," Grant stated. "Persons who are servant leaders and want to volunteer their time and talents are free to do so. The youth ministries department of CJC, through the leadership of Pastor, Kevan Barnaby, is fired up and ready to go."

Operation Save a Youth takes on the parish of St Catherine on March 19, 2017.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com