Why J'cans abroad should vote

Once upon a time, in a sleepy town called Chapelton in Clarendon, lived a man who was a friend to humanity. His name was Fergus Simpson. He pastored 10 churches in Northern Clarendon.

In 1989, his youngest daughter, Janeth, returned from university in the United States to work in Jamaica and to assist her father in his work. She began, with her father's encouragement, to work with a group of young people in Chapelton who felt they had no future and did not believe in themselves.

Many are now graduates of colleges and universities in the U.S. and are intenton giving back to their community. Fergus Simpson left a legacy in Clarendon when he died in October 2000.

That legacy survives in the hearts of the young and those in the community who knew him, through the work of a foundation established in his name by his youngest daughter, Janeth Simpson-Brown.

Realising the vision

The Fergus Simpson Foundation's mission is to 'Treasure the Past, Train the Future and Transform the Community' of Chapelton. This is a big vision inspired by the work and life of a man who was big in integrity and impact.

In this first phase of realising the vision, the foundation has, for the past three years, been training the young in the community through developing a leadership-training programme, and by operating a day camp at the beginning of August. This year, over 147 children ranging from ages five to 18 attended the camp which was held at the Chapelton Primary School.

The camp is run by the children and grandchildren of Fergus Simpson, persons who have benefited from his ministry, and friends both from home and abroad. The offspring of 'Parson', as he was called, travel from various areas in the U.S.A.. and London each summer to implement a plan that was formulated months before.

Janeth's vision has galvanised others who sacrifice to travel to Jamaica and bring money and materials to make the camp happen. This team is chaired by Parson's first grandchild, Kimara, and her husband, Damian Tomlin, graduates of top universities in the U.S., who are passionate to see the community revived.

Another person who has been very instrumental is Sybil Taylor-Barnett, who left Chapelton in 1959 and has been in the diaspora for many years. She is determined to help transform the community through using her extensive network of friends and family.

Auntie Sybil, as she is called, was able to get assistance from Jamaica Broilers to support the feeding programme which allows each child to have breakfast and lunch for the entire week of camp. Other companies involved in underwriting someof the cost of the programme were National Commercial Bank, ICWI, OGM Communications, Food for the Poor and Digicel.

Driving through Chapelton during the week, you see campers and workers wearing the Digicel/Fergus Simpson T-shirts, in various colours, each representing the house in which they were placed. The houses help to perpetuate the name and work of those who have served the community.

Commitment and pride

There are four houses: Jackson, named for businesswoman, Evadne Jackson, who is over 100 years old and whose life has been spent in the development of Chapelton; Goodgame, after Lucy Goodgame, the kindest woman in Chapelton, who mothered more girls than she could possibly have borne; Latty, after Estriana Latty, a spiritual giant and entrepreneur who left an indelible mark on the community; and Simpson, after Fergus Simpson.

Camp activities include workshops in music, art, dance, science, life skills, and sports. On the last day of the camp, there was a grand open house and concert where the community, which has embraced the camp, came to view the work of the campers.

Workers at the camp include volunteers from the community who serve with commitment and pride. Their work is acknowledged and honoured at the open house.

More children want to participate than can be accommodated in one week. Therefore, next year, the plan is to have two camps running in consecutive weeks. This means more workers and more resources. It is worth it. Lives are being impacted and changed - one life at a time.

Future leaders

Among the lives being changed are those young people that are a part of FLOC - the Future Leaders of Chapelton group. They are a select group who are undergoing leadership training and are given responsibility of assisting in the ongoing work of the foundation in Chapelton under the leadership of Gareth Gordon and Taylor-Barnett.

One member of that group is Fidel McCarthy, who, at 18 years of age, has caught the vision of giving back to the community. Fidel has been involved in the campfrom the beginning. The first year, he received the Fergus Simpson Leadership Award. His prize was a bicycle.

The following year, Fidel won the Kids Share School Prize, which was US$500 to assist with his school fees. Fidel has now developed a feeding programme for the elderly in the community using money which he and his friends have donated. He is from a poor background but he has seen a bigger vision and he is making it happen. He is transforming himself and his community.

Apart from the FLOC group, several young people are being mentored by individuals who are able to impart values and attitudes which will help them develop their potential.

This is an example of how Jamaicans in the diaspora are giving back to their communities, apart from sending remittances home. Many other such examples can be found across the island.

I, therefore, think that as a nation, we should not discard, without serious thought, the proposal that Jamaicans who live abroad and who wish to maintain their Jamaican citizenship should be allowed the right to vote to select who governs this nation.

Esther Tyson is principal of Ardenne High School, St. Andrew.