Gooden of Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School in St Ann. They are winners of the four to five year old category. Meanwhile, the winners of the 6 to 12 year old category are: Christopher Laraque of Old Harbour High School in St Catherine, who was placed first; second place winner is Alecia Hall of Sunbury Primary School in Clarendon and Ajanni
The Peace Guardian Journey to Harmony - Light the Passion, Share the Dream (Beijing 2008 Olympics)
Volume 4 Issue : September –December 2021
Children Offer VPA Solutions to Nurture On How Greater Peace Peacebuilding Can Be Achieved WorkininTheir 2022 Communities Not daunted by have challenges Several children offered in 2021, the Violenceon Prevention Alliance suggestions how peace can (VPA) continues to work towards peacebuildbe achieved in their communiing alongside our dedicated partners ties through peace letters that in the New Year. were written in observation of International Peace Day Sep- over Like other Jamaicans, weinworried tember the scourge in a competition of unabated thatcrime, was and violence most vulorganisedoften by theagainst Violencethe Prenerable; the ongoing COVID-19 vention Alliance (VPA), the Minis- pandemic and the resulting impacts on try of Education, Youth and Inforthe economy and the livelihoods of mation Childhood many, and not the to Early mention the learning losses as many were left behind or Commission . lost in the education quagmire. The winners of the competition We and sought with are: fretted Zorian Douglas fromsolutions Hollycolleagues we learned of increases wood Basic as School in St. Ann in and Akaysia as we collected whochild was abuse, placed first; data, we shared these to contribute Northover of Hillside Primary and towards addressing gapswho where Infant School in St Mary is these the second place winner and third place winner, Abby-Gail
the Order of Distinction in the Officer Class on National Heroes Day for her public service in the area of national security and justice.
were identified. We are grateful to the various funding sources that enabled us to celebrate our championing of a number of initiatives alongside our partners. These collaborations gave us hope for greater impact in 2022. The VPA is very proud of our Board Chair, Professor Elizabeth Ward, who was conferred with
As we welcome 2022, with our vision for continued peacebuilding, the VPA will continue to share an evidencebased public health approach, using a range of approaches to target the risk factors leading to violence. We continue to promote multi-sectoral cooperation and look forward to collaborating with likeminded new and former partners in the New Year. We wish for everyone a positive and peaceful New Year. Dr Deanna Ashley Executive Director of the VPA
Children Offer Solutions On How Peace Can Be Achieved in Their Communities
Several children have offered suggestions on how peace can be achieved in their communities through peace letters that were written in observation of International Peace Day in September
Inside this issue: Sistren Theatre Collective Still Making a Difference 44 Years Later
2
Proper Housing Solution Can Stem Crime – Says HAJ Executive
2
Child Resiliency Programme Trains 30 in 3 Peace Building , Resiliency and Wellness Child Resiliency Programme Fetes Children and Parents at Christmas Treats
3
Government Opens Second Shelter for Battered Women
4
VPA Represents Jamaica at Biennale of Luanda - Pan African Forum for the Culture of Peace
4
in a competition that was organised by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and the Early Childhood Commission.
third place winner is Danecia Rumble of Ferncourt High School in St. Ann.
The letters were written on the theme “Sustaining Communities for a Peaceful The winners of the competition are: Country”. Adesa Smith’s recZorian Douglas from Hollywood ommendation is that peace Basic School in St. Ann who was can be achieved if law enplaced first; Akaysia Northover of forcement officers engage in Jonelle Llewellyn (left), research associate at the VPA presents Legister Hendricks, principal of the Bishop Gibson High Hillside Primary and Infant School in Donna peace initiatives with resiSchool with a tablet for first place winner , Adesa Smith. St Mary who is the second place dents, community activities winner and third place winner, Abbysuch as, work days, sporting Gail Gooden of Chalky Hill Primary activities and conflict resoluwinner at Mineral Heights and Infant School in St Ann. They tion strategies. Christian Preparatory in Clar- “These methods may be are winners of the four to five year endon. old category. used to enhance peace at the community level which in Meanwhile, the winners of the six to The winners of the 13 plus turn will result in a peaceful year old category are: Adesa 12 year old category are: Christocountry,” she wrote. Smith of Bishop Gibson High pher Laraque of Old Harbour High Christopher Laraque believes School in Manchester, who School in St Catherine, who was that if proper measures are placed first; second place winner is was placed first; second put in place to deal with place winner is Javaun Alecia Hall of Sunbury Primary crime from the grass root Simms of Newell High School in Clarendon and Ajanni level the cry for a peace will School in St Elizabeth and Grandison who is the third place eventually vanish.