SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Community elder Isaiah Lewis, seated on a brick at the boundary’s edge, looked a picture of contentment as he watched members of his Rocky Hill community playing cricket during a church-organised event in late August.

“Is a great ting dem doing…,” he said of the festivities, “Is something they always do a year time…before COVID (novel coronavirus pandemic). Some big ting used to gwaan but since COVID people no really turn out like one time…COVID mash up nuff tings”.

Added Lewis: “Further on [in time to come] mi nuh know if it [church-organised community events] will get bigger.”

Lewis’s comments were directed at Summer Blitz 2023 presented by Midway Missionary Church in Rocky Hill, just west of Santa Cruz.

Despite the threat of rain (which eventually stayed away), Rocky Hill residents of all ages had a grand time, with women and men playing three-overs-a-side cricket, dominoes, draughts, Bible quiz, age-group races, bun-eating contests, grab bag, generating plenty of interest, entertainment, excitement and mirth.

There was an abundance of food with barbecued/jerked chicken, pork, fish, rice and peas, and bammies taking centre stage.

To the mild regret of some, there was no alcohol.

Pastor Gary Gardner, head of Rocky Hill Midway Missionary Church, said while the event was aimed at all members of the community, there was particular emphasis on “fellowship” with men, because of a perceived crisis faced by that gender in today’s complex, fast-evolving world.

“This men’s fellowship summer fest is something we are seeking to have annually targeting our men and our boys coming together,” said Gardner.

“Nothing is more marvellous than four brothers from one family and they are all over 70 years old…and we have men coming together to meet other men who they have not seen for years,” Gardner added.

He spoke of plans for an informal mentorship programme which should allow elders “to pass on skills and knowledge to younger men and boys…” and provide guidance on “the right way”.

Beyond immediate low-crime, deep-rural Rocky Hill and its environs, Gardner noted that in wider Jamaica “there is a serious problem in our schools with gangs and gangsterism” which, he suggested, was largely because the young lacked guidance.

“When our older men can pass on to these youngsters their experiences and how they were able to navigate through the challenges of school and their younger years, that can help…,” argued Gardner.

“We do have to save our society and we are seeking to build a better Jamaica…For far too long persons are seeking to highlight problems [but] we need to be solution-focused…we know what the problems are, we need to find solutions.

“If it is that we can have small clusters and pockets of success in our communities…then, when our youngsters are able to see [such] success it will [have a multiplier effect across the society],” he suggested.

The pastor pledged that going forward there would be efforts to involve political leadership and to seek to focus on people-to-people relationships as well as build communication skills.

Samantha Brown-Hayles, who prior to COVID-19 led the community’s women’s cricket team, hailed Summer Blitz 2023 as “an opportunity for good, clean fun…”

And Pearnel Smith from neighbouring Burnt Savannah, who drew loud cheers with his big hitting during the three-over cricket matches, declared himself a happy man.

“Mi hit couple six and feel good…,” he said. “I hope the people [spectators] enjoyed it too…”