Perseverance Pays for Flanker and Salt Spring Youth
Eighty youth from Flanker and Salt Spring in St James celebrate after graduating from the 18-month Positive Youth Transformation Project where they received life skills education and psycho-social support. Nineteen members of the cohort also received support for their small businesses. The project is a $38 million partnership between USAID and the Government of Jamaica through the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The programme, which had a 90.0 per cent completion rate, was implemented by the aid agency FHI 360, working along with the PIOJ’s Community Renewal Programme (CRP).
The programme demonstrated a best practice model of cooperation as it pulled in expertise from the Social Development Commission, the National Council on Drug Abuse, the Victim Services Division Peace Management Initiative Western, HEART/ NSTA Trust, the PIOJ CRP and USAID FHI 360.

Kingston, February 2, 2022

A total of 80 young people from Flanker and Salt Spring in St James received accolades for completing the 18-month Positive Youth Transformation Project that was supported by a $38 million partnership between USAID and the Government of Jamaica through the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The programme, which had a 90 per cent completion rate, was implemented by the aid agency FHI 360, working along with the PIOJ’s Community Renewal Programme (CRP).
At the January 27 graduation ceremony for the participants in Montego Bay, Director General of the PIOJ, Dr Wayne Henry said, “It was not an easy journey but you persevered through COVID and the myriads of challenges including outbreaks of violence to bring this programme to completion. This afternoon demonstrates that you have the resilience to overcome past and potential challenges and the will to pursue the positive path that you are now on.”

In her remarks, Chief of Party, Local Partner Development, Morana Smodlaka Krajnovic, said, “USAID remains committed to working closely with all our partners to create opportunities for youth in Jamaica to achieve their full potential. I hope that through this partners’ network you have created, more youth will be empowered to learn new skills and find meaningful employment.”

The youth who completed the programme also recorded achievements in psycho-social interventions and in employment.

While all graduates are currently in mentorship, 72 received ongoing life skills education; 39 received group counselling under the guidance of a trained social worker; 15 were under the care of a psychologist; and 15 received substance misuse treatment from the National Council of Drug Abuse.

In the area of labour and employment, 11 completed training at the HEART/ NSTA Trust towards preparing for certification; 20 were in apprenticeships; 19 successfully completed business development training and were each awarded financial assistance of $140 000 to start their own small business.

The programme demonstrated a best practice model of cooperation as it pulled in expertise from the Social Development Commission, the National Council on Drug Abuse, the Victim Services Division Peace Management Initiative Western, HEART/ NSTA Trust, the PIOJ CRP and USAID FHI 360.

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