Re:Operation Friendship, Jamaica

The value of push-starts...

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE MONTH of October brought with it awards and celebration of persons who had served their country well over
the years and among these was the prestigious Norman Manley Award For Excellence. This year this latter award
was made to the Rev. Dr. Webster Edwards for his work at Operation Friendship.

Operation Friendship can be a model for effective and efficient social welfare service. The programme covers
services for Health, Education, Skills Training, Counselling and Employment. Operation Friendship is also
income-earning through a variety of enterprises.

I would like here to recall that Operation Friendship had a push-start even before the arrival of the Rev. Webster
Edwards, from a private sector source in the person of Mr. Stanley Motta.

This is not in any way to detract from the magnificent contribution of the Rev. Webster Edwards, but instead
to underscore the value of a push-start to any venture. It takes vision, faith and courage.

Could we possibly have a Push Start Organisation of Jamaica operating in every parish which could help our
young people who fall between the cracks, to find some positive goals for themselves and in extension for this
country?

I am, etc.,

ELSIE SAYLE
21 Hopeglade Mews
Kingston 6

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