The Spring Village Development Foundation Benevolent Society from St Catherine yesterday walked away with this year’s Michael Manley Award for Community Self-Reliance for a project which has provided employment for over 1500 residents.

The Spring Village Development and Training Project, which was among four shortlisted ones, collected a beautiful bronze resin trophy and a cheque for $200,000 during the 11th annual award ceremony at the Little Theatre in St Andrew.

Another big winner yesterday was Children First, a Spanish Town-based organisation that works with street children. It copped the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica award for child survival and development. The group got a plaque and a cheque for $100,000.

Both projects, along with the other two entries, Rowlandsfield Multi-resource Community Centre, St Thomas, and Sturge Town Integrated Sustainable Development Project in St Ann — which won in 2005 — were each presented with certificates of merit.

Executive Director of the Spring Village Development Foundation Benevolent Society, Randy Finnikin, who spoke with the Observer following the announcement, said he was blown away.

“I am overwhelmed. In fact, before we were announced as the winners, just seeing what we have accomplished in the community through the eyes of independent persons, was sufficient reward for me because of the hard work, the sweat and the tears over the years. It just blew me away and I couldn’t hold back the tears. I know I should be shouting, but to God be the glory,” he said.

Finnikin said the award would serve as encouragement for residents who, at times, may feel like giving up on the project.

“This award will strengthen our resolve to ensure that we continue this, that the succession planning is put in place and to also ensure that all the stakeholders are recognised and that their hardwork is acknowledged and is being awarded,” he added.

The St Catherine project was set up in 1998 following a series of monthly discussions among residents who wanted to embark on a programme that would empower community members through training and development.

Through the Spring Village Training Institute, a component of the project, several citizens have been able to acquire Level 1 certification in the areas of cosmetology, food and nutrition, electrical installation, welding, housekeeping, general office administration, computer technology and refrigeration.

The project includes a youth arm and an adult arm. The youth section covers after-school training, sports, a marching band, environmental projects and programmes to supports students’ attendance in schools up to the tertiary level. The adult section provides support to parents and the elderly.

The training and development programme is sustained by income-generating projects, including a vegetable farm, and financial assistance from Jamaica Broilers Group.

Yesterday, Professor Horace Levy who read the judges’ report, said that all projects were outstanding and demonstrated innovativeness and sustainability.

Commenting on the winning project however, he said it was amazing how the citizens used discarded materials such as steel to erect a facility to houses the Institute and other offices, which was built from shipping containers.

He also praised Finnikin who settled an impending clash between two opposing gangs in the community through intervention meditation in.