Jamaica, W.I. - The lives of some 60 unemployed youths in the communities of Cornwall Court and Green Pond in St. James are expected to be transformed with the formation of a steel band. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism as part of the Spruce Up Jamaica programme.
Dubbed the Pon De Corner project, the aim is to use the stimulus of music to steer at-risk youths into creative and economically viable activities.
In outlining plans for the project, coordinator of the Spruce Up Jamaica programme, Marline Stephenson-Dalley, explained, “The project is aimed at opening up several new avenues for those involved, as we at Spruce Up Jamaica are determined to take as many youths as possible off the (street) corners and provide them with something tangible to do.”
Stephenson-Dalley said steel drums would be acquired from Trinidad and Tobago, while a separate drum set and bass guitar would be sourced locally. All the equipment is expected to be procured at a cost of $1.3 million through the Tourism Enhancement Fund.
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