The NHT salutes eight young Jamaicans for their entries in the NHT’s 35th Anniversary Essay competition, and conducts training in communities about Better Governance as well as Micro Enterprise.
In keeping with its 35th anniversary agenda to engage its partners in discussions on housing, the National Housing Trust recently invited young Jamaicans to present their perspectives on homeownership through an essay competition. Persons aged 13-16 were asked to share their thoughts on the topic: “Owning a home: the plan begins now.” Others in the age group 17-21 were asked to explore the topic: “Matching needs, means and dreams: the homeownership challenge in Jamaica.”
Over two hundred entries were received by the Trust. After intensive assessment by a panel of educators with experience in curriculum development, language education and social studies, the top three entrants in each category were selected.
The NHT salutes the six young Jamaicans who have been selected as winners of the competition, and two others who received honourable mention for their entries. The eight were recognised at a function held at the corporate offices of the NHT in Kingston on June 28. The awardees received prizes varying from $10,000 to $100,000.
The awardees were:
Age 13 – 16
First place: Shani Mortley, St. Andrew High
Second place: Davia Smith, Westwood High
Third place: Nkechi- Ann Porter, Campion College
Age 17 – 21
First place: Melissa Clue, University of the West Indies
Second place: Zaneta Scott, University of Technology
Third place: Romoyne Watson from St. Catherine
Those receiving honourable mention were Abigail Smellie of the Bishop Gibson High School and Lisa-Lee Barnett of St. Catherine High.
FOR BETTER GOVERNANCE COMMUNITIES EXPLORE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS
The NHT also conducted training regarding better governance and how to explore business opportunities, through its NHT’s Social Development Unit from April to June 2011. As part of its ongoing community education series, the Leadership Council of NHT Schemes in St.Catherine recently hosted a forum on the landmark Charter of Rights, which was passed by Parliament in April. Guest speaker at the event was the Hon. Dr. Lloyd Barnett, Attorney at Law. The aim of this forum, was to help residents of NHT schemes understand how they may contribute to better governance.
Over 100 representatives from 14 communities from as far as Linstead, attended the session at the NHT’s St. Catherine Branch Office, and posed questions about their legal, social and economic rights under the Charter.
MICRO ENTERPRISE TRAINING CONTINUES
The NHT’s Social Development Unit along with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has concluded Business Development Training for persons from Inner City Housing Project (ICHP) Schemes and St.Thomas NHT Schemes. These persons are now receiving their certificates for workshop participation. More JBDC workshops are to take place in Clarendon, Kingston and St. James. Among those being targeted are beneficiaries from the Inner City Housing Project (ICHP), the Sugar Workers Housing Project (SWHP) and Relocation 2000 Housing Schemes.
CALL CENTRE NOW OFFERING LIVE HELP VIA THE NHT WEBSITE
The NHT now offers a Live Help Support system which takes the format of a web chat with its team of Customer Care agents. Live support can be accessed via the NHT corporate website during office opening hours by users locally as well as those overseas.
For more information about this and other NHT activities and programmes, visit our website at www.nht.gov.jm
