Flankers gets NCU help, more to come

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Residents of the community of Flankers, inclusive of students of Flankers Primary and Junior High, were the recipients of free medical checks during last Thursday's official launch of the Montego Bay Campus of the Northern Caribbean University's Missions.

"It is a good thing. Now I don't have to go into town to have these checks done," said Claudette Morris, who resides in the community. "It will help because some people don't have the money to go and have it done outside of the area. In addition, they can come here and also get advice from the nurses."

Michael Harvey, senior pastor at Northern Caribbean University and vice-president for spiritual affairs, told Western Focus that the ambitious outreach project was based on a series of clearly defined objectives.

"We are about fostering a spirit of volunteerism and civic pride, giving value to education - more than just the cognitive, but also the psycho-motor working with hands - learning the dignity of labour, and helping to instil values of honesty, integrity, loving and caring for others, and a genuine respect for life," said Harvey.

He indicated that the mission would also include other forms of tangible assistance where applicable. The assistance is based on a needs assessment which was carried out in conjunction with the guidance counsellor, Yvonne Medley-Reid.

"We want to return to the institution quarterly," said Harvey. "We will bring counsellors, motivational speakers, educators, counsellors, and nutritionists to interact with the students."

During the launch, a group of social work and education students of the university, complemented by a broadcast team from NCU media (radio), hosted devotions. Following the devotions, the radio team continued a live broadcast while other students conducted counselling and motivational sessions.

Memorandum of Understanding to be signed

Byron Malcolm, the assistant director of the Montego Bay Campus, told Western Focus that the institution was hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding with Flankers Primary and Junior High so they would be able to take experts and resources to aid the students at the school and members of the community in the future.

"We are here to espouse the value of voluntary service to assist those who are less fortunate," said Malcolm. "Based on a needs assessment done in consultation with the guidance counsellor and the school's administration, we have brought this medical team, and for the future, we would be looking at bringing other persons with the requisite skills to satisfy the needs of the students and community."

Fabian Pennycooke, who operates a business in Flankers, praised the initiative, saying it was a very good thing for the community.

"I am very appreciative of something like this because it has a dual role in terms of assisting the students in different ways and also engaging the community," said Pennycooke. "So I want to say thank you to NCU for having thought of the school and community and sharing their skills and talents with us."