Youth mayors impressed at inaugural forum in Clarendon

Youth mayors from across the island gave Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie more than enough food for thought during their presentations at the inaugural youth forum at the Clarendon Municipal Corporation last Thursday.

Presenting under the theme 'Protecting the Vulnerable ... Establishing Hope Through Local Governance', the recurring themes from the youth mayors were volunteerism, the need for more resources, security and training of staff, and low pay.

Kingston and St Andrew Youth Mayor Shireka Campbell, in citing high staff turnover due to low pay, called for persons to offer their services voluntarily.

"We, as a community, need to volunteer when we can. We need to help the most vulnerable," she said. Campbell also urged all to "stop being greedy" and realise that life is not just about one's personal needs.

Ajae Clacken, representing Black River, said that infirmaries across the island are "woefully underfunded" with some inmates being frequently abused "sexually, physically, emotionally and psychologically" by their caregivers. He said some cases go unreported, and even when some are reported, perpetrators are not punished.

He suggested that professional training should be given to all categories of workers in the infirmaries.

Clacken also took swipes at relatives who turn their backs on their loved ones at the institutions, stating that they should be held accountable in giving support.

IMPROVING INFIRMARIES

A charismatic St Ann's Bay representative, Bobby Francis, warned that there will be no success in tackling the long-standing problems associated with infirmaries unless an orchestrated plan is developed to address the issues.

"Until the youth councillors launch a protection-of-the-vulnerable campaign to aid in the enhancement of care at these facilities, or until the local government puts on its long-term lenses and devises a plan that can protect the people that are currently in the infirmaries," nothing will change, he said, earning the applause of those present. Clacken added that he travelled all the way from St Ann with a "three point-plan" that can remedy the situation.

Included in his plan is the expansion of the current infirmaries, as he pointed out, in most

cases, they are "understaffed, overburdened and under-financed". He warned that although it might be an expensive venture, it is still the practical thing to do.

Francis also urged partnership with nonprofit organisations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, police youth clubs, among others, to share some of the burden of running the institutions.

May Pen's Daneil Burke was a picture of confidence and great composure as she not only did a great job chairing the proceedings, but also gave attendees something to think about during her presentation.

She reminded those present that caring for others should be a collective effort and that people need to be civic-minded and give back to society.

Also supporting the idea of access to more resources, Burke had praises for the Clarendon Infirmary as she said despite the workers being given "baskets to carry water", she was impressed with how well the facility was being kept.

Burke also proposed that schools include in their curricula regular visits to the infirmaries.

"Children bring joy, so why not bring festivities and laughter to the infirmaries through children," she asked, pointing out that institutional knowledge can also be passed down from the older folks who can guide the way on how young folks should operate, therefore creating a blueprint for life.

At the end of the presentations, McKenzie said that in all his years in local government, few things have taken him by surprise, but this crop of youth mayors did.

"I was rather taken aback by the quality and the content of the presentations," he said.