TOMORROW, August 6, will be 50 years since Jamaica gained independence. While some of the country’s leaders have been assessing the country’s progress over the period, the Sunday Observer took time out yesterday to solicit the views of average Jamaicans, who were among scores of persons visiting the Jubilee village at the National Stadium Complex. We asked them to share their vision for Jamaica 50 years from now.

Errol Bean, of a Kingston address “My vision for Jamaica is expressed in the end of the prayer that I have composed for Jamaica 50. My vision, my hope is that the 2030 vision is realized.”

Linnette Donald, of Dalvey St Thomas “I wish we have far less plastic than we are now using, as plastic is detrimental to the environment, and I want to see more trees.”

Sadie Longmore of a Kingston address, “I want to see a reduction in poverty and more jobs for the unemployed.”

Sandra Senior-Brown, Kingston “Our telecommunications is really at a high level right now, so I am really pleased with the status of our country. Our young people have a lot of opportunities in terms of educational development, and we still have a far way to go in terms of unity as Jamaicans. If we unite I know that we can accomplish a lot. Fifty years from now I want us to be a first world country, I want us to be exporting more doctors, more international coaches, more teachers, nurses. I want us to be exporting like we are a resource pool.”

Nicholas Ellis, Kingston “More jobs, more opportunities for both younger and older persons, as well as Government intervention in young people’s education could be much better. For the next 50, we should focus on educating the people and the economy will be much better. We can grow as a nation, but we have to unite and if we don’t unite we are not going to meet the set goals. As we say, we are on a mission and if we don’t unite we can’t accomplish that mission.”

Dalton Salmon, from Clarendon “Mi achieve the most important things, I want own a house and mi achieve that, I have a car and I have a good job. But what me would love to see is tfor the Government on a whole to do better in making opportunities for the younger population to benefit.

Dominic Lewin, Kingston 12 year old tudent of Liberty Academy, “I love Jamaica and want it to be a better place in 50 years”

Kamal Powell, Kingston, ” I think Jamaica is one of the greatest countries in the world, and I believe in 50 years we have come a far way. Over the next 50 years we will be at centre stage in terms of sports, international development, in terms of diplomacy and in terms of transforming our young people to develop Jamaica.”