Officially, Jamaica is ranked as a country of 'medium human development' on the United Nations' Human Development Index.  Despite its progress on many accounts, Jamaica still suffers from economic and social disparities; problems that are felt most deeply by children and youth living in extremely poor urban and rural communities.  For the families living in squatter settlements in inner-city Kingston or in isolated rural communities, high illiteracy, lack of employment skills and/or opportunities, insufficient income for basic food, education, or transportation lead into the cycle of poverty that in Jamaica can often become linked to crime or violence. 

According to the Jamaican National Youth Policy (2003), unemployment and education-related issues are the most critical concerns affecting young Jamaicans today.

In 2003 approximately 30% of primary school leavers were illiterate and only 20% of secondary graduates had the necessary qualifications for meaningful employment or entrance into a post-secondary institution. The average performance in the national GSAT exam ranged from a low of 48% for Mathematics and for Science, to a high of 67% for Communications Tasks.  Of high school students who sat the senior CXC exam only 42.7% passed in English and only 33% passed Math.
(Task Force on Educational Reform Jamaica 2004)

Other critical issues cited in the Youth Policy include crime and violence, gender disparities, drug trade and drug use, teenage pregnancy, and the need for activities for youth.  For example, almost 25% of all girls have had at least one child by the age of 18.  This may impede their chances to complete their education and may result in entering a cycle of poverty that is very difficult to break (JNYP, 2003). 

Violence levels are well known in Jamaica, especially but not solely in the capital city of Kingston.  In 2003, the Jamaican Gleaner, the main national newspaper, reported that in poor inner-city communities:

• 80% of students have witnessed street violence;
• 74 % have witnessed stabbings; and
• 40% have witnessed killings by the police.

Violence and accidents are the leading cause of illness and death among adolescents and older youth, particularly young men (JNYP, 2003).
Clearly, the ranking of Jamaica as a 'medium level' country does not account for a great need for intervention particularly for vulnerable children and youth. 

After the uprising in Kingston in 2001 in which 26 people were killed, the Government of Jamaica created a task force on dealing with the issues of crime and violence.  The Report on the National Committee on Crime & Violence (June 2002) identified 15 recommendations to address the root causes of this significant problem.  Of the recommendations, several relate directly to the work supported by Jamaican Self-Help:

• Inculcate proper values & attitudes in the youth of Jamaica - curriculum-based instruction at the primary level;
• Strengthen parenting skills, particularly for children at risk to violence;
• Leverage positive school and community relationships to address the problem of crime and violence;
• Empower communities to plan their best possible future and to solve their problems.

Other suggestions from the National Committee include:

• Re-establish and strengthen legitimate leadership within communities;
• Network and twin communities to combine strengths and to avert the current trend towards a divided society;
• Increase levels of employment in poor communities.

(Report of the National Committee on Crime & Violence, June 2002). 

Jamaican Self-Help supports Jamaican organizations that are working to address these issues at the community level.

JSH is a non-governmental, registered charitable organization based in Peterborough, Ontario.

Founded in 1978, JSH began as a volunteer based organization that worked with a Jamaican musical group to inform Canadians about inner city projects in Jamaica. Canadians responded by fundraising, collecting goods, and organizing awareness trips to Jamaica. JSH was incorporated in 1981. By 1983 the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) began to support the development work by providing matching funds.

Currently, JSH is working in partnership with sister organizations in Jamaica to help improve the living circumstances of Jamaican people by fostering self-sustaining programs such as literacy, skills training, agricultural training, community development, health care and sanitation and institutional strengthening. JSH currently assists 8 projects with funding and networking support. This alliance of Canadians and Jamaicans is contributing to the capacities of marginalized women, men and children to work towards self-reliance.

JSH works with several sister organizations that are recognized as institutional partners. The institutional partners are established Jamaican organizations that are self-managed and receive funding from various sources including JSH.

Bridge Street United Church Foundation