Dear Editor,

For those Jamaicans who can afford overseas health care, quality education for themselves and their children, everyday living expenses and still remain sane to meet today’s challenges, kudos to you.

The reality is that Jamaica, a developing country with Vision 2030 to skyrocket the country to developed status, must be prepared to care for the less fortunate in this country. Simply reading the latest developments out of Jamaica one has to ask, “Does anyone care?”

For far too long non-governmental organisations in Jamaica have gone unrecognised for their hard work and dedicated service. Congratulations are in order to RISE Life Management Services, formerly Addiction Alert, on their 20th anniversary for their unwavering support to transform the lives of those living in inner-city communities of Kingston.

One of our politicians said some time ago, “In Jamaica the man who plays by the rules gets shafted.” Non-governmental organisations, for the most part, operate off meagre budgets and they are quite familiar with the challenges the less fortunate and at-risk young people face in this country. They are left searching for funds to finance their varied, effective interventions targeted to the “shafted”.

Yes, we speak about the development of downtown Kingston but we ignore the people and the quality of life they live. It cannot be that we are quick to chase young people off the streets and demolish vendors’ stalls and not have a structured environment or programme for them to improve their lives.

We need more leaders in this country to care; not only to secure the next election but ensure people are empowered to achieve those goals expressed in Vision 2030. I hope government ministries will begin to partner with agencies to effect the changes we’d like to see in this country. Let’s have more action and less talking.

Corve DaCosta

Kingston

corve.dacosta@gmail.com