It was a case of mission accomplished for the Special Olympics delegation from Washington, DC, in the United States, which participated in a week-long unified youth exchange programme in Jamaica recently.

The visit, which lasted from May 5-11, centred on youth leadership and unified sports activities in partnership with Jamaican schools Genesis Academy and the Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”. The delegation also visited heritage sites and other attractions across the island.

“Every day was filled with inclusion and youth empowerment. The immersive experiences provided the participants with enriching perspectives,” Clement Coulston, senior manager of youth development at Special Olympics International (SOI), told the Jamaica Observer.

He said the schools, which effectively promoted unified interaction between people with and without intellectual disabilities, helped to form some of the many highlights during the visit.

“Each school curated an action-packed itinerary that included campus tours, engaging in student ceremonies, unified dancing and swimming, and…enjoying a lovely time with authentic Jamaican cuisine and karaoke.

“We are grateful for the principals, Kali McMorris (Alpha) and Stacey-Ann Newman (Genesis), and their incredible staff, who took time out of their busy schedules to showcase the wonderful work their educators and teams are doing to ensure every child has the resources and support to thrive,” the US-based Coulston said.

“To have the chance to tour Jamaica’s National Stadium prior to the experience of being among the fans in the stands during a lively netball match starring one of the Jamaica’s unified partners [Akeilia Wilson] was another high point,” he added.

In March, a delegation from Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) was in the US capital for one phase of the 2024 unified youth exchange programme. The programme, which is organised by SOI and Special Olympics Caribbean Initiative, is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Sport Diplomacy Division.

SOJ’s Marissa Hayman, the programme leader for the exchange, said the Jamaican leg put a wrap on feature-packed experiences for participants.

“The overall experience was phenomenal for our youth leaders. The main objective was to bring together youth with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in the exchange, in an aim to build cross-cultural understanding, engage in leadership development and foster bonds and connections across the globe,” she explained.

“The week was filled with activities that showcased Jamaican culture, food and heritage. Our two participating schools in the exchange also showcased various elements of their curriculum and also extra-curricular activities — including netball, football and swimming, in particular — as a major component of the exchange programme was to leverage unified sports,” Hayman added.

Coulston said he was impressed by collaborative efforts of various parties under the SOJ umbrella.

“Special Olympics Jamaica is strong, with athletes, unified partners, coaches, and volunteers who are committed to making the world a more inclusive place for people with intellectual disabilities — one partner, one school visit, and one game at a time.

“The SOJ team has formed and nurtured several community partners that are bringing to light the unique abilities and strength of Jamaican youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities through the power of sports. I am proud to know that the SOJ youth leaders are equipped with additional skills, experience, and global connections through this exchange to help them as they plan and execute inclusive projects in their local communities,” he said.

Through sport activities and competition, the Special Olympics movement aims to break down barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, from mainstream society.