Looking to Jamaica's Future

by Tamika Williams
(Ahhh...Ras Natango Gallery and Garden, Camrose, St James)

With the start of the New Year, most people are making resloutions ... many will be broken, but many dreams will be realized.

As a child growing up we learnt the African saying "It takes and entire community to raise a child".

The year gone has been an educational year for me.

Walking in the valley and learning the values found there.

Learning to give when I thought I had nothing left to give.

Seeing my community change before my eyes and realizing the may firsts I have experienced in my life and have helped others to experience.

My dream is to see someone of note visiting our community to help build on what we have started.

Our young people especially the children need direction, and the time has arrived for us to STOP analyzing the situation and simply act.

I refer again to our ackee Christmas tree which brought so much healing and togetherness in our community.

Wouldn't it be great to see one of our Honourable Ministers visit the community, and congratulate the youths for embracing the feeling of togetherness, and for restoring pride in their community?

Pictures speak more than a thousand words. Look at these images and see you own child, sister, brother, cousin or friend.

All they need is a chance to be proud of themselves, their community and their island.

Who knows, maybe our future Prime Minister is among these youths.

If we do not provide guidance and encouragement some of them will not make it to adulthood.

Too often the funerals are of young people ... we have to rescue them if we are to progress.

I put forward my solution for helping one community at a time. But I am unable to do this alone.

I therefore implore all who read to assist is keeping the tide flowing in my community.

We have come a long way but there is lots more to do.

All of us at Ahhh...Ras Natango Gallery and Garden wish you all a happy and prosperous year.

The children are INDEED our future. Given the chance they can achieve their highest potential.