MELISSA MATTHIE - YOUTH CHAIRMAN,
Volunteer of the Month
MANCHESTER BRANCH OF THE JAMAICA RED CROSS
Melissa Matthie
How long have you been a part of the Red Cross? I have been a part of Red Cross since 2003, when I was trained as a Peer Educator while attending High School.
Why did you decide to become a part of it? I have always wanted to be a nurse when I
was much younger, so that I may be able to help others that are in need. After getting into high school, I found out that a Red Cross youth link would allow me the opportunity to see what serving humanity is like. I knew I had to join, but my school at the time did not have a youth linkn so my guidance counsellor introduced me to the Together We Can Peer Education Programme.
What do you like most about being involved in Red Cross? I believe I like just
about everything so far, but I must say the wonderful people we get as volunteers each year, the programmes we offer that train others to project life and provide career advancement goals; but mostly, I love doing voluntary work on the ambulance or in the HIV programmes.
What position do you hold within the Red Cross? I am the Youth Chairman at the
Manchester Branch of the Jamaica Red Cross. As a Chairman, my responsibilities would include calling and chairing youth section meetings, filtering information to the links and area groups within my parish, developing project documents to assist in the maintenance of youth development with our Red Cross movement and ensuring that all the youth links within the parish are functioning in their best capacity.
work experience. It also assists with making career decisions when seeking a job. It’s also an opportunity to advance your resume, but most importantly, it allows you to help others and meet people you would not have gotten the opportunity to, and it can be a lot of fun at the end of the day.
What other areas of service are you currently involved in? To restore my
community park as an attraction area, to continuously work with those who have worked so hard in revamping the Hope Village Youth Club to provide the much needed support to the youths we serve. Also, to always promote health and educational cavity building activities. Nationally, to assist the youth populace through providing technical and encouraging support for an environment that facilitates policy discussions among youth through my office as General Secretary of the National Youth Council of Jamaica.
What are your influences? I am influ-
enced by a number of things but none more so than the principles of the Red Cross movement; Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. My favorites are humanity, where I will always feel the need to endeavour to alleviate human suffering without stigma and discrimination, and voluntary service – “to give of thy self is the greatest gift to give’’. I have been called to the service of mankind and my country.
What are your personal and pro-‐ fessional goals? [My] ultimate personal goal is
to complete a degree in medical technology and to be an entrepreneur and own a customer service training company.
Why is it important for young people to volunteer? It is very important for young people to volunteer as it will assist in providing good 5