BY HUGH DOUSE (logo on page 4 last tuesday, June 18)

I want to tell you about three young Jamaicans. Three young ladies who inspire me to do all I can in service to my nation.

I met one of them yesterday at St Catherine High at the Madge Anderson Educational Symposium, inside Paschal Hall. Her name is Stephanie Lewis. She told me that Jamaica needs to turn to nationalism — her words. Stephanie feels that Jamaica’s educational system needs to make students dream big. “… our education must equip us to think big!” I remembered the story of Dr Ben Carson.

She continued. “So many Jamaican students are not aware of how great they are and how great they can become. Before I came to this school I thought the greatest and highest thing I could do or become was to be a doctor… I can be anything I want to be; start my own school or business, I can help the poor. I will be prime minister one day!” I was so honoured to have met one of our future prime ministers. Or maybe, by then, President of the Republic of Jamaica. Either way, remember the name; she has given me hope for Jamaica.

Then there is Danielle Watson. On Sunday the CHASE Fund held its annual Classical Evening Concert at the Courtleigh Auditorium. Danielle and her family laid her brother to rest the previous day. I pray her forgiveness for mentioning this, but Danielle, who is also a member of Nexus, is the strongest performer I know. In this her debut appearance as a soloist outside of a church she showed the power of the human spirit to overcome. That is the power of our youth. Danielle’s talent and fortitude has given me hope for Jamaica.

My daughter may not like me for this, but she is a young Jamaican who inspires me. She was invited into a pact by her principal at St Catherine Prep, Yolande Geddes-Hall — that she would bring home a scholarship. And that she did — the Scotiabank Scholarship. I tease her sometimes that she is a little alien: 100% average in GSAT! But seriously, she is who I call a girl of God. She has a powerful type of faith. You should ask her what she thinks Jamaica needs to do. I won’t tell you; you would only accuse me of putting words in her mouth. Just ask her. Catherine Douse has given me hope for Jamaica.

I hope and pray that the Jamaica which these three young ladies grow up in will be ready for their brilliance, their talent and their promise. May Jamaica always give them hope.

hugh.douse@gmail.com